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Bombardier wins order to supply 48 trams for De Lijn’s operation in Ghent and Antwerp

Posted: 27 September 2012 | Bombardier | No comments yet

Bombardier Transportation has signed a contract with De Lijn…

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Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has signed a contract with the Flemish Transport operator De Lijn to supply 48 BOMBARDIER FLEXITY 2 trams for the cities of Ghent and Antwerp. The order is valued at approximately 129 million euro ($165 million US). It includes an option for 40 additional trams.

The biggest single tram order in the history of De Lijn will provide a full facelift for the networks in the two largest Flemish cities in Belgium. Not only will the FLEXITY 2 trams replace the ageing fleet of PCC trams, they will also increase capacity. Thanks to the increased length of 20 of the new vehicles, the new vehicles can carry more passengers than the current trams. Passengers will benefit from the easy access and comfort onboard the low-floor vehicles that are equipped with multi-purpose areas for wheelchair users and storage space for bicycles and prams.

Roger Kesteloot, General Director of De Lijn: “As an operator, we look forward to the arrival of 48 FLEXITY 2 trams toward the end of 2014. First and foremost, because it allows us to offer modern and spacious vehicles to our customers in Antwerp and Ghent, but also because they are more economical in terms of maintenance and operational costs. With these additional vehicles, we will increase the number of passenger seats by nearly 10,000, making it more attractive to take the tram. It goes without saying that this will efficiently improve the accessibility and the quality of life in both urban areas.”

Germar Wacker, President Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation, said: “The FLEXITY 2 trams developed for De Lijn combine proven technology with ecological innovation and operational efficiency. These vehicles will allow De Lijn to offer superior passenger comfort and accessibility, as well as optimized energy consumption, maintenance and overall lifecycle costs. The inspiring design will define the cityscapes of Ghent and Antwerp in the decades to come.”

Johan Van den Bussche, Chief Country Representative, Bombardier Transportation Benelux, added: “As the global leader in rail technology, Bombardier is all about the Evolution of Mobility. We have had the privilege to be a strategic partner of the main operators in Belgium for the past decades and are committed to delivering innovative solutions that set new standards in comfort, efficiency and ecology.” The vehicles come in different lengths and configurations. Ghent will receive 10 bi-directional seven-module vehicles with a length of approximately 43m, able to accommodate 378 passengers. Antwerp will receive 38 mono-directional trams: 10 seven-module vehicles with a length of approximately 43m and a capacity for 380 passengers and 28 five-module vehicles with a length of approximately 31m, able to accommodate 266 passengers in total. The trams are 2.3m wide and equipped with meter gauge bogies with conventional axles offering a smooth ride as well as low wear and tear of both wheels and tracks. The motorized bogies feature fully suspended motors and gearboxes to keep ground vibrations to a minimum. All vehicles are equipped with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for drivers and passengers. The passenger HVAC system features efficiency improvements such as variable CO2 controlled fresh air flow to ensure an optimized climate for the passengers.

Bombardier will manufacture the trams at its sites in Bautzen, Germany, Bruges, Belgium and Vienna, Austria. Bombardier’s site in Bruges, Belgium, will also oversee all project management, commissioning, warranty and fleet support.

More than 1,700 FLEXITY trams are already in successful revenue service. A total of more than 3,500 Bombardier trams and light rail vehicles are in service or on order in cities across Europe, Australia and North America.

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