Stadler Wins Frankfurt Contract: 27 Citylink Trains for RTW Line

Lead Paragraph:
Stadler has secured a significant contract from Fahrzeugmanagement-Region Frankfurt RheinMain (fahma), a subsidiary of Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), to deliver 27 state-of-the-art Citylink vehicles for the new Regionaltangente West (RTW) line. This comprehensive agreement includes vehicle production, extensive maintenance, and spare parts supply for a 30-year period, marking a pivotal step in the RTW project’s development and enhancing public transport connectivity in the Frankfurt region.

Main Body:

The contract awarded to Stadler represents a substantial investment in the future of regional and urban rail mobility within the Frankfurt metropolitan area. The 27 Citylink vehicles are being custom-engineered to meet the stringent demands of the Regionaltangente West (RTW) line. A key feature of these innovative vehicles is their dual-system capability, enabling seamless operation on both conventional mainline railway infrastructure and light rail networks. This interoperability is crucial for integrating the RTW line into the complex mixed urban-regional transport ecosystem, offering passengers unprecedented flexibility and avoiding the need for transfers.

Operational Significance and Passenger Benefits

The design of the Stadler Citylink vehicles prioritizes passenger experience and operational efficiency. Each approximately 50-meter-long unit will accommodate around 360 passengers and is engineered for exceptional accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility. A critical technical requirement addressed by Stadler is the vehicles’ ability to serve three distinct platform heights: 76 cm and 96 cm for Deutsche Bahn services, and 80 cm for RTW-dedicated platforms. This advanced capability ensures uninterrupted journeys across routes that blend urban and regional segments, a significant advancement for public transportation within the Rhine-Main region.

Project Milestones and Industry Impact

The timeline for the RTW project is progressing with key milestones in sight. The initial three Citylink vehicles are slated for delivery in Autumn 2028, specifically for rigorous testing and approval processes. The remaining fleet will be supplied incrementally, with the entire complement of 27 vehicles expected to be operational by Autumn 2030. This ambitious schedule aligns with the projected full operational launch of the Regionaltangente West line, slated for the December 2030 timetable change. Prof. Knut Ringat, CEO of RMV and general manager of fahma, emphasized that this rolling stock acquisition is a “decisive step” toward the RTW’s completion, confirming the operational start date despite ongoing construction of the line’s three main sections.

Technical Specifications

• Number of vehicles: 27
• Vehicle type: Stadler Citylink
• Length: Approximately 50 meters
• Passenger Capacity: Around 360 passengers
• System Capability: Dual-system (mainline rail and light rail)
• Platform Height Accessibility: 76 cm (DB), 96 cm (DB), 80 cm (RTW)
• Maintenance and Spare Parts: Included for 30 years