First new light rail vehicle for Dresden presented

A new generation of trams is arriving in Dresden. Together with the manufacturer Alstom, Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG (DVB) officially presented its first new light rail vehicle at the Gorbitz depot on 1 October 2021. Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig, Dresden’s First Mayor Detlef Sittel, DVB’s Chairman of the Supervisory Board Stephan Kühn and other representatives of local politics, funding bodies and neighbouring transport companies welcomed the addition to the fleet from Saxony’s production in Dresden. For the weekend of 2/3 October 2021, 2,400 interested people have registered to take a look at the new vehicle and celebrate its arrival. The dates are already fully booked.

The first new vehicle, which was manufactured in Görlitz and Bautzen, is to be followed by 29 more in the next two years. Nine of these will be bi-directional vehicles. The delivery includes a maintenance contract that ensures DVB’s high quality standards for its passengers in the long term. There is also an option for ten more light rail vehicles.

More space and comfort

At 2.65 metres, the new vehicle is 35 centimetres wider than the light rail vehicles previously used in Dresden. At 43.5 metres, however, the new vehicle does not set a length record. Nevertheless, the new light rail vehicle can accommodate more passengers, namely up to 290. Two seats fit on each side with greater spacing. In the multifunctional areas there are four instead of two parking spaces for wheelchairs or prams. Six doors allow quick and safe entry and exit. LED light strips are mounted on the inside and outside of the doors. If they light up green, it is still possible to get in or out; if they light up red, it is no longer worth sprinting to the door.

Picture gallery (please click to open):

In addition to large panorama windows, LED ambient lighting, the colour of which adapts to the time of day and season, and the bright interior trim create a pleasant atmosphere in the car. There are more information monitors than before and they are clearly visible from all seats. A new feature is the use of air conditioning for the passenger compartment, which supplies fresh air depending on the CO2 content in the interior. Compared to its predecessors, the new light rail uses about 15 percent less electrical energy for heating, air conditioning and lighting.

Picture gallery (please click to open):

In operation from spring 2022

The first new light rail vehicle is now completing an extensive programme of test runs and technical inspections. In the coming months, the new vehicle will be seen from time to time in the city area – but initially as a service vehicle. After successful test operation, it is scheduled to be in service for DVB passengers on tram line 2 in spring 2022. We reported here on the adaptation of Dresden’s tram network to the 35-centimetre wider vehicles:

Funding via EFRE

The costs per vehicle amount to about 4.2 million euros. The total investment volume including production, service and long-term maintenance amounts to about 197 million euros. For the purchase of the light rail vehicles, the Free State of Saxony is handing over 102.8 million euros in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to DVB.

Picture gallery (please click to open):