It’s a big day for local transport in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt: the new Flexity tram from Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe GmbH & Co. KG (MVB) has received official approval for passenger service and is now in regular operation, initially on line 1.
The technical approval was handed over by the Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr Lydia Hüskens. She personally presented the document to MVB Managing Director Münster-Rendel.
The first Flexity vehicle has been in Magdeburg for a year. A second one was added at the beginning of 2025. During this time, they underwent a comprehensive testing phase in which all technical and operational requirements were successfully tested and verified. The approval shows that the new generation of trams meets all the high standards of safety, comfort and reliability.
MVB currently has two Flexity railcars. One vehicle continues to be used daily as a training vehicle to prepare the company’s more than 350 drivers for the new technology. The second vehicle is now entering passenger service and will be used on all lines to gain valuable experience in daily operation. MVB expects further vehicles from the Alstom plant in Bautzen, Saxony, from October onwards. Eight vehicles are to be delivered by the end of the year. By the beginning of 2027, all 35 railcars ordered should be in Magdeburg.
The Flexity tram sets new standards: with a length of 38 metres, a width of 2.40 metres and space for up to 241 passengers, it offers more space and comfort than ever before. It is fully air-conditioned, has free Wi-Fi, USB charging sockets, modern passenger information systems and four flexible multi-purpose areas, two of which are wheelchair areas with additional folding ramps for easy entry and exit. It also runs quietly and energy-efficiently, thus making an active contribution to climate protection.
With the commissioning of the Flexity tram, MVB is gradually modernising its fleet. By the end of the year, the last old, non-accessible Tatra trams are to disappear from the network. In addition, the new trams are gradually replacing the first low-floor trams from the 1990s.
In the summer of 2021, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply a total of 35 Flexity tramcars (+ option for a further 28 cars) and spare parts. The vehicles are being produced in Bautzen, Saxony. We last reported on this here:
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/new-flexity-trams-for-magdeburg-are-about-to-be-delivered/
Some technical data:
- Vehicle type/gauge Single-ended vehicle/1435 mm
- Type designation: NGT 10 D – Flexity Magdeburg
- Length/width/height: 38.0 m/2.4 m/3.5 m
- Passenger double doors: 4
- Seats/standing room: 92/149
- Motor/running bogies: 3/2 (5 in total)
- Drive power: 630 kW
- Braking equipment: 20 passively braked wheels, 10 magnetic rail brakes
- Infotainment: 34 information displays
- Contact wire voltage: 750 VDC
- Smallest curve radius: 18 m
- Maximum speed: 70 km/h
The order volume is €190 million, of which €60 million is being subsidised by the State of Saxony-Anhalt. This includes 35 Flexity tramcars and the associated spare parts supply for 24 years. Optionally, 28 additional trams can be ordered and the maintenance and repair contract extended to 32 years.
(Info: MVB)
