Hanover – The ÜSTRA Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG has awarded the contract for the construction of the new high-floor light rail vehicles to the Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). The first new cars are expected to be delivered to Hanover in September 2025.
“We are pleased to have found an experienced partner in CAF who will realise our vision of a modern and comfortable new light rail system,” says ÜSTRA Executive Director Elke Maria van Zadel: “Continuous investment in new vehicles and infrastructure is essential for a progressive and sustainable transport company like ÜSTRA.”
Ulf-Birger Franz, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ÜSTRA, says: “The procurement of the new TW 4000 light rail vehicle is of central importance for the transport turnaround and represents a necessary project to meet the future requirements of public transport in Hannover. People can look forward to a great vehicle that will quickly and positively shape the cityscape.”
Region President Steffen Krach looks forward to the new light rail generation. “Green trains, silver arrows and most recently space vehicles: the people of the Hannover Region have a special relationship with their light rail. Now another generation of ultra-modern vehicles is coming,” says Krach: “The TW 4000 not only replaces the ‘old-timers’, but in terms of technology and comfort it is an incredibly attractive offer for our passengers. And the new Hannover district of Kronsrode and other residential areas will benefit from shorter intervals.”
Marcus Brüning, Director CAF Germany, says: “This order for the delivery of the new ‘TW 4000’ light rail vehicles is another milestone for CAF in establishing itself in the German market. The new vehicles will promote a resource and environmentally friendly public transport system and meet the sustainability approach in the Hannover region.”
The first initial 42 new TW 4000s will be ordered this year. The order for the 42 vehicles has a total volume of 149.98 million euros. A funding decision from the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG) has already been received; the LNVG is funding this investment with 67.3 million euros. All 42 vehicles are to be in service in 2026. Based on the tendering process, up to 275 new vehicles could be ordered by 2040, if the financial situation permits. Christian Berndt, Managing Director of the LNVG, says: “The state gladly and frequently supports ÜSTRA in its diverse plans for local transport. The new vehicles offer passengers significantly more comfort and accessibility than the old green trams they will replace. For an even more attractive public transport system in Hanover and to make the local transport turnaround possible, the LNVG is therefore happy to provide a substantial grant of 67.3 million euros.”
The new TW 4000 is intended to replace both the green TW 6000 which are not fully accessible for PRM’s and, in perspective, the silver TW 2000. The TW 4000 is intended to reduce energy requirements through weight reduction and improved regeneration technology and to improve the customer experience, especially with regard to accessibility, passenger information and comfort. Denise Hain, ÜSTRA Labour Director and Head of Operations and Human Resources, emphasises: “As an attractive employer, it is particularly important to ÜSTRA to also offer a modern workplace for its drivers. The attraction of wanting to drive the new light rail system also gives us additional strong arguments when recruiting staff in the coming years. The TW 4000 will not only define new standards in light rail operation with advanced, high safety standards, but also with numerous technical innovations.”
As part of the light rail project, there was a design competition, as a result of which a binding design for the new light rail generation was determined. The TW 4000 is produced in Spain.
About CAF
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles was founded in 1917, has also been active internationally since the 1990s and has already gained a good reputation in Germany. In addition to the contract signed with the German transport associations VRR and NWL for the delivery of 73 battery-powered regional multiple units, orders were signed for 51 trams for the Ruhrbahn and 22 light rail vehicles for Bonn. In Freiburg, CAF trams have also been in operation for several years. Since 2018, the Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has been a majority shareholder in the CAF Group.
ÜSTRA and CAF will jointly present further details on the appearance and innovations of the TW 4000 to the public shortly at a media event in Hanover.
12.09.2022
