Stadler wins contract to supply 27 CITYLINK vehicles for the Regionaltangente West

Stadler has been awarded a contract by Fahrzeugmanagement-Region Frankfurt RheinMain (fahma), a subsidiary of Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), to supply 27 CITYLINK trams. The trams will operate on the Regionaltangente West (RTW) line. The contract also includes long-term maintenance of the vehicles.

The tender comprised 27 CITYLINK vehicles, which are being newly developed specifically for the requirements of the RTW. As dual-system vehicles, they can operate on both mainline and light rail routes. The approximately 50-metre-long vehicles can accommodate around 360 passengers and enable barrier-free travel at different platform heights. This is necessary because the RTW has to serve both the platform heights of Deutsche Bahn (76 and 96 cm) as well as the RTW-own platform height (80 cm).

Fully operational in 2030

Delivery of the first three vehicles for testing and approval purposes is scheduled for autumn 2028. The entire fleet is expected to be ready by autumn 2030. The RTW is still planned to commence full operation at the timetable change in December 2030.

In addition to delivery, the agreement also covers maintenance, servicing and spare parts supply for the vehicles over a contract period of 30 years. With the CITYLINK , Stadler is relying on a proven platform that is optimized for mixed operation between urban and regional transport.

“A special project”

“With the award of the vehicle delivery and maintenance contract, another decisive step has been taken towards the completion of the Regionaltangente West. Not only are the three core sections of the Regionaltangente West now under construction, but the decision on the vehicles has also been made. This means that the most important foundations have been laid for the full launch of operations on the Regionaltangente West line at the end of 2030,” said RMV Managing Director Prof. Knut Ringat, who is also Managing Director of fahma.

Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Division Spain: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract and to have earned the trust of fahma and RMV in entrusting us with the construction and maintenance of the vehicles for the RTW. This is a special project that requires new developments, for example in terms of barrier-free access at different platform heights. We look forward to realising further dual-system vehicles that will enable passengers to transfer without changing trains, thereby increasing the attractiveness of public transport. The Stadler team is very experienced, highly motivated and will implement the project on schedule.”