Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe (MVB), the Magdeburg local transport authority awarded Alstom a contract for the supply of 35 Flexity light rail vehicles with an option for 28 additional vehicles.
The EUR 190 million contract includes the delivery of related spare parts and maintenance for 24 years. The state of Saxony-Anhalt is funding the new vehicle procurement with almost EUR 60 million.
The delivery of the new vehicles will start in 2023 and are expected to enter passenger service in 2024.
“The new trams are barrier-free and offer more space for passengers. MVB is thus making a sustainable investment in attractive public transport for the people of this city. As a state, we are supporting this major project with funding, as we are certain that the transformation of transport can only succeed if we work together,” the Minister of Transport of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Thomas Webel said.
At 38 metres, the four-car Flexity trams are 8 metres longer than the vehicles currently in use with MVB.
Their design was specifically developed for Magdeburg focused on passenger safety and comfort. Each of the new tram can transport up to 241 passengers and has two multi-purpose areas that offers ample space for strollers, bicycles, and wheelchairs. The wide, barrier-free entrance areas enable fast boarding while broad window strips running the length of the vehicle ensure that the passenger area is filled with natural light.
Inside, energy-efficient ambient illumination always provides excellent lighting and outside, LED light strips improve the visibility of the trams as they navigate urban traffic. The fully air-conditioned vehicles also score with high energy efficiency and noise-optimised design that keeps the interior quiet while in operation. Magdeburg’s Flexity passengers can also look forward to enjoying free Wi-Fi access while in the trams.
The Flexity trams will also be equipped with the driver assistance system ODAS (Obstacle Detection Assistance System) which assists the driver in detecting obstacles during operation. In addition, the newly designed and ergonomically optimised driver’s stand and the driver’s large vision field contribute to increased safety.
MVB plans to have a mock-up of a part of the vehicle produced. The life-size 1:1 model will make it possible to experience the new Flexity tram before it goes into service.
The Flexity ligh rail vehicles will replace old Tatra vehicles and then successively replace the city’s first low-floor trams originally delivered in the 1990s. In view of increasing passenger numbers and route extensions related to the 2nd North-South Link construction project, the tram fleet will also be expanded by ten vehicles. With this order, the number of trams supplied by Alstom to Magdeburg will grow to a total of 118 vehicles.
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