By taking over the Teutoburger Wald-Netz (TWN) on 10 December 2017, Keolis will use new FLIRT multi-system electric trains on line RB 61 between Bielefeld and Hengelo. Keolis received the first of a total of eight trains in these days.
“We offer our passengers and our employees the latest technical equipment and comfort with the new vehicles,” explained Thomas Görtzen, Managing Director of Keolis. In the coming weeks the FLIRT will be visible for training purposes on the stretch network.
Ulf Braker, Managing Director of Stadler, once again confirms the trustworthy cooperation with Keolis and leasing company Alpha Trains: “We are delighted to be able to hand over the Keolis FLIRT vehicles of the latest generation. Besides the latest safety technology, a high level of stability as well as high energy efficiency are the characteristics that characterize these vehicle types. ”
Leasing company AlphaTrains, which also provides project management as well as construction supervision in addition to financing, reinforces the positive partnership with Keolis. Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director of the Alpha Trains Passenger Division, stresses: “With the new FLIRT, the number of keyless boats moored by Keolis at Alpha Trains will increase to a remarkable 84 units. We are delighted that Alpha Trains and Keolis will also be able to work together at TWN for many years. ”
The vehicles are used in cross-border traffic between Bielefeld and Hengelo (Netherlands). For cruising on the Dutch routes, the FLIRT is additionally equipped with the ETCS Level 2 and ATB train safety system.
The five-car FLIRT can carry up to 532 passengers, 266 of them on comfortable seats. In the area of the first class, the space has been increased from 16 seats to 24 seats. There is also space for 24 bicycles per train. The vehicles have generously designed multifunctional compartments in all entry areas, wide entrances as well as gap bridges – this promotes a faster passenger change. The comfort of the new vehicles is supplemented by a multilingual passenger information system, interior LED lights and sockets on all seats. Four security cameras with a very high image resolution are installed per car.
The increased comfort is also noticeable for the crew on board: in addition to separate air-conditioning for the driver, there is also separate access to the driver’s platform. In the case of the predecessor, it is entered through the passenger compartment. In addition, the driver’s workplace is ergonomically designed according to the latest findings. The vehicles meet the requirements of DIN EN 15227 (crash standard). “Our promise of performance is to be safe and service-oriented on the road,” says Thomas Görtzen. “Both our passengers and our employees benefit from the modern rail vehicles for this line.”
Railcolor: The multi-system EMUs get a livery that is different from what was presented when the order was announced. Back than, Keolis (Eurobahn) and Stadler published a FLIRT in the yellow and white Eurobahn livery. However, we now see that mother company Keolis wants it own name and identity to be more visible, so the design of its daughter companies is slowly disappearing. The eight multi-system EMUs will be numbered ET4.01 to ET4.08 with NVR registration 94 80 2429 011 to 018 and keeper marking D-ERB. Köln-Gremberg will be their home depot.
Related posts:
[DE / Expert] Alpha Trains acquires multisystem trains for Teutoburger Wald-Netz
[DE/NL] Keolis: Bielefeld – Hengelo service started, and got cancelled again
[DE / Expert] Keolis leaves Germany – Eurobahn will get a new owner
[NL/DE / Expert] Eindhoven – Hamm: This is the cross-border FLIRT for Start
