Local traffic - 50 meters of streetcar in one go - BVG relies on extra-long streetcars
Guests of the Berlin Tramline M4 can look forward to riding on extra large vehicles that can accommodate over 300 people soon. The Berlin Transport Company (BVG) has taken a new tram with a length of 50 meters and a width of 2.40 meters into test operation. The new vehicle, presented at the BVG depot in Lichtenberg, is expected to transport passengers to their destination for the first time in the first quarter of 2025. Until then, numerous tests are planned according to the BVG.
The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU), expressed his pleasure over the expansion of the BVG fleet. It's about making it easier for Berliners and Berliners to switch to public transportation with new offerings, he said. He was happy that the long yellow, i.e. the BVG buses, would soon be joined by the long yellow.
Multi-purpose compartments for strollers and wheelchairs
The new vehicles, named "Urbanliner," are being built by Alstom. The majority of the assembly will take place in a factory in the Saxon Bautzen. The vehicles come across as significantly wider and more spacious inside than other vehicles. Multi-purpose areas provide ample room, for example, for strollers and wheelchairs. An additional step-free threshold is intended to facilitate barrier-free boarding and alighting. In addition, seats in various heights have been installed, for example, for mobility-impaired or small people.
The framework agreement between the BVG and Alstom, according to the BVG, allows for a maximum order quantity of 117 trams. In the first order, the BVG has ordered 20 "Urbanliners," which are to be delivered by 2026.
Alstom: Tram produces less noise during travel
Müslüm Yakisan, President of Alstom for the region Germany, Austria, Switzerland, stated that the "Urbanliner" model is one of the longest trams in the world. He also promised that the new tram would be quieter during operation and would put less strain on the tracks than previous models.
The new vehicles will initially be deployed on Line M4 (Hackescher Markt - Falkenberg/Zingster Straße). An adaptation of the platforms on this stretch is not necessary according to the BVG. Generally, a large part of the stops in the city is already designed for tracks up to 60 meters long, said Rico Gast, Straßenbahn Area Manager at the BVG.
BVG management hopes for more free ride for its yellow vehicles
The present politicians, in addition to Wegner, among others, Economics Senator Franziska Giffey (SPD) and Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU), emphasized that the new tram is an important part of the planned transport turnaround in Berlin. "We have and need the political backing for the transport turnaround in Berlin," said Rolf Erfurt, Operations Director at the BVG.
Erfurt also emphasized that the BVG vehicles need more free ride: "Imagine for a moment, the trams and also our other large yellows, they would move quickly on the surface, so that no more cars would be stuck in traffic jams, but the yellows would simply pass by - I believe that would be a great scenario."
Traffic Senator Bonde advocated for more patience meanwhile, when the bus or train was not entirely punctual. "Sometimes we grumble when the bus comes a little later or the tram or the U-Bahn," said Bonde. "In other cities, the U-Bahn only runs every 10 or 15 minutes. 'And if here the U-Bahn runs every 3 to 4.5 minutes, then that is an incredible frequency and an incredible achievement."
- The "Urbanliner" vehicles, being built by Alstom, will have their majority assembly completed in the Saxon city of Bautzen.
- Kai Wegner, the CDU Mayor of Berlin, is pleased about the expansion of the BVG fleet, which includes the introduction of the "Urbanliner" trams.
- These new trams are expected to significantly improve local traffic in Berlin, with a capacity to carry over 300 passengers and accommodations for strollers and wheelchairs.
- The new "Urbanliner" vehicles will initially operate on Line M4 (Hackescher Markt - Falkenberg/Zingster Straße), which is well-equipped to handle these extra-large vehicles.
- Alstom, the company responsible for producing the "Urbanliner" trams, has boasted that the model is one of the longest in the world and promises quieter operation, reducing strain on the tracks.
- Ute Bonde, the Traffic Senator of Berlin and a CDU member, encourages patience from city residents as public transportation improvements are implemented.
- According to Rolf Erfurt, Operations Director at the BVG, the success of their yellow vehicles depends on them being able to move more freely through traffic, reducing congestion and improving overall transportation efficiency.
