Rotterdam to receive additional Bombardier FLEXITY vehicles

Bombardier Transportation has announced that the Rotterdam Transport Authority (RET) has exercised an option for 16 additional FLEXITY Swift light-rail vehicles (LRVs). The order is valued at approximately €66 million and delivery of the vehicles will take place in 2016.

(Copyright: Bombardier) The vehicles will run on the new Hoekse Lijn to provide fast and comfortable transportation in the Rotterdam area

The vehicles will run on the new Hoekse Lijn to provide fast and comfortable transportation in the Rotterdam area. Bombardier has already contributed to attractive public transport in the area, delivering 81 metros to RET between 1998 and 2002, 22 vehicles for the new RandstadRail line and 42 vehicles for the existing metro lines between 2008 and 2012.

“The arrival of the new high-quality light-rail connection Hoekse Lijn, between Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland, is an achievement to be proud of,” said Pedro Peters, CEO of RET. “It goes without saying that a new high-quality transport connection needs high-quality vehicles. Our long-term relationship with Bombardier, delivering many light-rail vehicles to RET over the years, has always been highly satisfactory. Therefore we are very pleased to order 16 additional vehicles.”

“This third order demonstrates RET’s confidence in our proven FLEXITY vehicles and continues our long-standing and successful partnership,” said Germar Wacker, President, Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation. “Together with RET, we have developed an LRV which can be adapted to perfectly meet operator and passenger demand.”

The vehicles consist of three modules and are 42m-long. They accommodate up to 270 passengers, 104 seated and 166 standing. During peak hours, two such units can be coupled to increase capacity and meet passenger demand. Every vehicle has two multi-purpose areas providing ample space for wheelchairs and prams. Seven double doors on each side of the vehicle ensure a smooth passenger flow. The LRV is equipped with the BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion system. BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban bogies ensure a smooth ride and low noise levels. A modern passenger information system provides passengers with timely and relevant travelling information.

Bombardier produces the FLEXITY Swift LRVs for RET at its Bautzen site in Germany, with the electrical equipment provided by its Mannheim site and the bogies from its Siegen site, also in Germany.

BOMBARDIER, FLEXITY, MITRAC and FLEXX are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.