Bombardier delivers the first long bi-directional FLEXITY tram to the Berlin Transport Authority

•  142 BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Berlin trams have been ordered to date

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation today delivered the first 40 m long bi-directional tram of the FLEXITY Berlin series ahead of schedule to the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) from the Bombardier Hennigsdorf site. To date, BVG has ordered a total of 142 trams from Bombardier under a framework agreement for up to 206 vehicles. The FLEXITY Berlin fleet will include 40 long uni-directional vehicles as well as 54 short and 48 long bi-directional vehicles when delivery of all trams ordered so far is completed by 2017.

Klaus-Dietrich Matschke, Director Trams at BVG, said: “The early delivery of the first long bi-directional FLEXITY Berlin tram in 2013 enables us to respond even better to increasing demand on several tram lines and expand barrier-free transport.”

Germar Wacker, President Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation, added: “This delivery forms another important milestone in the long-standing partnership of BVG and Bombardier. The trams featuring a Bauhaus design were specifically created for the German capital and have already received the IF Design Award and the Universal Design and Consumer Favorite award.”

The concept of the FLEXITY Berlin tram was developed jointly by BVG and Bombardier to meet the requirements of the German capital. This has resulted in a future-oriented tram with 100% barrier-free access. The interior offers ample space for passengers with multi-purpose areas and air conditioning both in the passenger area and in the driver’s cab. The vehicles offer low electricity consumption and feed braking energy back into the system.

Bombardier offers the most comprehensive product portfolio in the light rail vehicle (LRV) sector and is renowned for both reliability and efficiency. More than 4,000 Bombardier trams and LRVs are in service or on order in Europe, Australia and North America.