The first TINA tram has arrived in Rostock: The name, or rather the abbreviation, stands for ‘totally integrated low-floor drive’ and describes the innovative and particularly passenger-friendly concept from Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer Stadler. The first of a total of 29 trams of this type has now arrived in Rostock and was presented to the local press, city representatives, employees and other guests for the first time on 19 February 2025.
Stadler’s new TINA tram is already in use in Darmstadt and Basel. HAVAG in Halle/Saale received the first vehicle in December 2024. Gera will receive six TINA trams from 2026.
‘Our passengers can look forward to state-of-the-art, barrier-free trams with environmentally friendly air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a spacious interior. We are now starting the further measures for commissioning on the Rostock route network so that we can send the first tram into regular service at the end of the year,’ say RSAG board members Yvette Hartmann and Jan Bleis.
‘The introduction of the first TINA tram in Rostock marks an important milestone for the city’s mobility. Thanks to the close and successful cooperation with Rostocker Straßenbahn AG, we were able to realise this pioneering vehicle. We look forward to taking the next steps together and enriching Rostock with modern, sustainable and barrier-free trams,’ says Martin Alge, Head of Order Processing for Stadler in Switzerland.
Line deployment planned for the end of 2025
The commissioning phase, which is essential for new vehicles in Germany, is now beginning for the first TINA. The new tram will be travelling regularly on the Rostock route network in preparation for technical acceptance. During this time, extensive tests, brake tests, route runs, etc. will be carried out, followed by driver training. The first train in this series is expected to be rolling through Rostock with passengers by the end of 2025, further advancing the climate-friendly transport transition in Rostock.
More vehicles to follow
All vehicles are produced at the Środa Wielkopolska plant in Poland, which was taken over by Stadler as part of the takeover of the Solaris tram business. By mid-2025, two more TINA vehicles will arrive at the RSAG depot on low-loaders. All other vehicles will follow by mid-2027.
The new vehicles will gradually replace some of the 6N1 (NGT6) trams currently in operation, which were built between 1994 and 1996 and are being retired after around 30 years of continuous service.
RSAG has ordered a total of 29 trams from Stadler. The total order volume is around 103 million euros. The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is supporting the purchase of the new trams with 9.45 million euros.
Travelling more comfortably, quietly and environmentally friendly with the new trains
When developing the new generation of vehicles, particular attention was paid to passenger comfort. The three-car, fully air-conditioned single-unit vehicles are around 32 metres long and 2.65 metres wide, offering space for 216 passengers, 75 of whom are seated. The completely step-free, barrier-free vehicles have a spacious interior with four roomy multi-purpose areas that make it easy to transport pushchairs or bicycles. Maximum headroom and panoramic windows ensure an open feeling of space and a clear view. Passengers can charge their mobile devices in the USB charging ports during the journey. Modern double TFT monitors ensure that passenger information is easy to read. In order to offer passengers free Internet access, the vehicles are equipped with a passenger WLAN system. Like all RSAG vehicles, the new trains will be equipped with a video surveillance system and a modern, cashless ticket vending machine.
Four specially designed bogies ensure smooth running and protect the wheels and rails. Various driver assistance systems represent a major innovation: For example, a new type of collision protection system that will further increase the safety of tram operations.
The new trams can be used on the entire RSAG route network. Preferably, they will be used on the main lines 1 and 5.
Rostocker Straßenbahn AG operates a total of 6 tram lines in the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock. The RSAG trams cover around 3.1 million kilometres per year.
We reported on previous TINA deliveries here:
