Train operating company ODEG (Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH) has been awarded the contract to run services on the Ostseeküste II (Baltic Coast II) network.
Consequently, ODEG will continue running passenger services RE9 and RE10 until 2034. RE9 connects Rostock with Binz/Sassnitz via Stralsund and RE10 connects Rostock with Züssow, also via Stralsund.
ODEG initially started operating services on this network in December 2019, but the original contract was limited to two years. Now the contract has been extended by the client – the federal state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the VMV Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Transport Authority. The services on RE9 and RE10 will amount to 1.8 million train kilometres per year.
So far, ODEG is satisfied with the service it has delivered, saying it has been smooth and successful, despite some problems such as building works on the infrastructure.
The new contract will begin in December 2021. The Desiro ML trains will get wifi, catering, an online lost property office, regional weather news and other innovations. In addition, the three-car Siemens-built units will be extended into four-car units in order to meet rising passenger demand.
“It is a special success for ODEG to secure our contract long-term with our team along the Baltic coast. Our passengers and clients are our judges and we've been able to convince them. Now it's full steam ahead! We're going to keep the quality of our services at the highest level and implement the promised additional features. We're looking forward to these challenges and are well prepared for them. Our colleagues at ODEG on the Baltic are a strong team that we have a lot of trust in and that we'll support at all times as much as we can.”
