Vienna’s Environment Councilor Ulli Sima, Wiener Linien GmbH and Siemens presented the design for the new city’s metro train on March 8. Starting 2024, they will operate Vienna’s fully automated U5 line, but can also operate semi-automated or manually on the existing lines. The delivery of the trains is scheduled to begin in mid-2020 and to be completed by 2030. The trains will be manufactured at the Siemens factory in Vienna.
The six-car trains, called “X cars,” carry on the design elements of the city’s existing trains and at the same time fulfill the most modern international safety standards. The trains can be walked through from end to end and feature an open and bright interior. The newly arranged seating layout offers an improved sense of spaciousness, optimizes passenger flows and provides barrier-free access to wheelchair and multiple-purpose spaces. A transparent partition behind the driver’s cab offers passengers a new perspective of the metro line.
They are designed to run at a maximum speed of 80 km/h and have a capacity of 928 passengers including 200 seats. They are equipped with the new FGI Plus passenger information system which offers passengers routing directions including connection information even before they arrive at the station. 
“We’ll be getting a state-of-the-art train that fits our existing infrastructure and offers very good value for the money. The proven partnership with Siemens together with the maintenance contract assure us the highest care with the conception and quality of the trains, which will benefit our passengers over a long period,” Günter Steinbauer, Director of Wiener Linien said.
The trains have a lightweight construction and over 90 percent of the materials used can be recycled. The use of LED lighting and highly efficient heating and air conditioning systems ensure low energy consumption for the trains. During operation, the train’s braking energy is optimally fed back into the power rail.
At the end of 2017, Wiener Linien awarded Siemens the contract for the supply of 34 fully automated metro trains, with an option for 11 additional trains. Under the contract, Siemens will provide maintenance services for the trains.
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