The Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH (AVG) and the Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe GmbH (VBK) have ordered 30 dual-system tram-trains from Bombardier. These ultra-modern and comfortable vehicles valued at about 129 million euros ($190 million US), will be delivered between August 2011 and September 2013. An option for up to another 45 vehicles has also been agreed.
The new tram-trains will be manufactured in the Bombardier sites Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria. The BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion and control system will be provided by Bombardier Mannheim and BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban 2500 bogies by Bombardier Siegen, both sites located in Germany.
Grego Peters, President, Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation said: “This order demonstrates the trust our customer places in Bombardier as a reliable and strong partner and in our technically sophisticated FLEXITY trams and light rail vehicles. We are delighted that we can actively contribute to the modernization of local public transport in Baden-Württemberg.“
The FLEXITY Swift vehicles are customized to meet the requirements of the city and the region of Karlsruhe. For an optimum fit to the existing infrastructure all access areas are 50% low-floor thus ensuring a rapid passenger flow and facilitating easy access for the mobility-impaired as well as passengers traveling with prams or heavy luggage. The new vehicles consist of three modules, and the interior is walkable throughout its entire length. The 37 meter long light rail vehicles with a width of 2.65 meters offer a capacity for 244 passengers. Conventional bogies with air springs guarantee a smooth ride reducing wear and tear of both wheels and tracks to an absolute minimum.
More than 1,500 FLEXITY vehicles from Bombardier are already in successful revenue service. Overall Bombardier now has more than 2,800 trams and light rail vehicles operating or on order in cities across Europe, Australia and North America.
About Bombardier Transportation
As the global leader in rail technology, Bombardier Transportation offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany and has a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2009, were $19.7 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Photo: FLEXITY Swift tram-trains for the city of Karlsruhe, Germany
BOMBARDIER, FLEXITY, MITRAC, FLEXX and ECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
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