Challenges Arise for Railway Expansion During Economic Hardships
New Generation Trams Arriving in Düsseldorf and Duisburg
In a significant move towards modernizing urban transit, the Supervisory Board of Rheinbahn has approved the award of a contract for the delivery of 91 new generation city rail vehicles of the HFx type. These vehicles, manufactured by Stadler Rail, are set to revolutionize the city rail systems in Düsseldorf and Duisburg.
The Swiss company, known for its HFx model, has designed these modern light rail vehicles to meet urban transit requirements. The HFx series offers enhanced passenger comfort, energy efficiency, and accessibility features suitable for city rail systems.
The new trams can accommodate a maximum of 178 passengers and feature two multifunctional areas for wheelchairs, strollers, or bicycles. For added convenience, they are equipped with four monitors integrated into the ceiling, USB charging stations, and Wi-Fi connectivity. A special lighting concept ensures direct illumination of the door areas while the seating areas are indirectly lit.
The order, with a net volume of around 340 million euros, is being carried out jointly with Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft (DVG). The contract includes a 24-year spare parts supply contract, and delivery of the vehicles is scheduled for the years 2025 to 2027.
Michael Richarz, Board of Technology and Operations, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the HFx is a significant investment in a vehicle that is both powerful, technically advanced, and attractive from the perspective of passengers. Klaus Klar, CEO and Labor Director of Rheinbahn, shared similar sentiments, stating that the HFx trains will impress with their high comfort and visually enhance the cityscape of Düsseldorf.
However, Rheinbahn is facing a record deficit of 150 million euros for the coming year, not just due to high investments and increased production, but also the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a sharp drop in passenger numbers in the spring. The company is particularly concerned about its subscribers, as many companies may continue to work from home for longer, potentially leading to cancellations of season tickets for employees.
The first batch of 59 trams, codenamed "HF6," ordered by Rheinbahn from manufacturer Bombardier in 2015 to replace the oldest vehicles from the 1970s, has encountered problems and delivery has been halted due to severe defects. The new HFx vehicles will replace the partly 35-year-old red-and-white trams of the B80-Alu type and the red trains from the 1980s.
The new trams also come equipped with driver assistance systems such as electronic collision warning systems that can trigger active braking in case of an emergency. For the benefit of passengers with suitable hearing aids, all announcements can be received via inductive hearing loops. The arrival time of the HF6 trams, intended for a timetable densification on the U75, remains uncertain.
In addition to the 91 vehicles ordered, Rheinbahn has an option for up to 42 more vehicles. The manufacturer of the vehicles will be announced after the decision by the committee in Duisburg, scheduled for late September, for legal reasons. The fully enclosed couplings in the specially designed vehicle front protect pedestrians from potential accidents.
As the city rail systems in Düsseldorf and Duisburg prepare for a transformation, the new HFx trams are set to bring a new era of comfort, efficiency, and accessibility to urban transit.
- The HFx trams, a significant investment in the automotive industry, are being manufactured by Stadler Rail to revolutionize public-transit transportation in Düsseldorf and Duisburg.
- The financial implications of the HFx project include a net volume of around 340 million euros, with associated costs for spare parts over a 24-year period, and the contract runs from 2025 to 2027.
- The financial challenges faced by Rheinbahn, such as high investments, increased production, and the COVID-19 pandemic, may potentially impact the finance sector, as many companies may continue to work from home for longer, leading to cancellations of season tickets for employees.
