BVG brings new trains into service. As announced, Germany’s largest local transport company launched passenger service with the latest generation of metro trains today, Monday, 8 September 2025. The first train made its maiden voyage on the U2 line this morning. Up to 140 new carriages from manufacturer Stadler are set to join the fleet before the end of this year, ensuring greater stability in the metro service.
The new train series bears the designation JK. For the first time in ten years, BVG is introducing a new train model for the narrower U1 to U4 lines. Today’s premiere was preceded by thorough testing and measurement runs as part of the approval process. Operational preparations, including training for drivers and workshop staff, have also been underway for months.
Premieres like this are always a special reason to celebrate. Rail vehicles are durable and therefore particularly sustainable. For this reason, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Senators Franziska Giffey and Ute Bonde attended on Monday the ‘new vehicle presentation’ at the Deutsche Oper metro station and sent the train on its maiden voyage together with BVG CEO Henrik Falk and Chief Human Resources Officer Jenny Zeller-Grothe.
The renewal of the fleet is a key component of BVG’s ‘stability before growth’ strategy. The aim is to gradually return to reliability levels of 99 per cent over the next few years. The new trains are a milestone on this path, because with technical stability, a spacious interior design, modern information systems and improved accessibility, they not only make metro transport more reliable, but also more attractive. In short: more stability, more space, more comfort – more future for the metro.
The future is meant literally here. This generation of vehicles will shape the image of the Berlin metro in the coming decades. It is the largest fleet renewal in the history of the BVG. The framework agreement with the manufacturer Stadler covers up to 1,500 new cars, which can be delivered by 2035. The volume amounts to up to three billion euros. A total of 484 cars from the two sister series JK (for lines U1 to U4) and J (for lines U5 to U9) have currently been ordered. The new vehicles are being financed by the State of Berlin as part of the transport contract with the BVG.
The wider J series for lines U5 to U9 is currently undergoing testing and is scheduled to enter passenger service next summer. The first vehicle in the series was presented to the press and politicians in January 2024. We reported on this here. However, due to delivery problems, the first train did not go into service until September 2025.
Customer feedback and main criticism
Berlin’s new J and JK metro trains, being built by Stadler for both the large and small profile lines, have been met with a mix of anticipation and criticism. The most pressing concern has been the significant delay to delivery. Originally planned for 2022, the first units are now not expected until late 2025, a result of legal disputes, supply chain disruptions, and complications with software integration. This postponement means Berlin’s ageing fleet must remain in service longer, leading to reliability issues, shortages of trains and increasing overcrowding.
The design of the trains has also drawn criticism. Unlike their predecessors, the new cars have only two doors per side instead of three, which has raised concerns about longer dwell times during busy periods. Another contentious feature is the reduction in window size, intended to simplify maintenance and provide space for passenger information screens, but viewed by many as a downgrade in passenger comfort. The absence of air-conditioning has likewise been highlighted as a major drawback, particularly in light of increasingly hot summers and the limited ventilation available in Berlin’s underground tunnels.
Public reaction to the overall appearance has been divided. Some passengers appreciate the clean, functional lines of the new interiors, while others find the design uninspiring and the smaller windows oppressive. Online discussions often describe the trains as looking cheap or bland compared with previous generations, which reflects a broader dissatisfaction with what some see as a compromise between modernisation and cost-saving.
In essence, while the J and JK fleet represents a vital step in replacing Berlin’s ageing rolling stock, the long delays and contentious design choices—fewer doors, smaller windows and the lack of air-conditioning—have meant that the programme has so far struggled to win over a sceptical public.
Comments on the new generation of metro trains for Berlin:
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin: “The new metro trains for our BVG are a milestone for the future of local public transport in Berlin. By renewing the metro fleet, we will achieve greater reliability and punctuality in metro transport for Berliners – and stabilise the BVG in challenging times and make it fit for the future. “
Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and Chair of the Supervisory Board of BVG: ‘This year’s motto is “floating” – new trains must be put on the tracks. Stadler’s new “Made in Berlin” metro trains will finally bring relief to passengers and drivers, whom I would like to thank very much for their daily work under conditions that are not always easy.’
Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment: “Today is an important day for the reliability of the Berlin metro. The first vehicles of the new metro generation herald the largest fleet renewal in the history of the BVG. Thank you to everyone involved in vehicle development, production, commissioning and driver training, as well as the BVG employees who have shown particular commitment in getting the most out of the ageing fleet. Your dedication and patience have paid off.”
Henrik Falk, CEO of BVG: “These new trains are an important pillar for more stable metro operations. From now on, our passengers will be able to experience the modernisation of our fleet. They can see the new trains, touch them, get on board and experience the new sense of space. These new trains are not just an upgrade, but a commitment to modern, sustainable mobility and will continue to shape the cityscape in the coming decades.”
Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Division Germany: “Today’s maiden voyage not only marks the arrival of a new generation of vehicles for the Berlin metro, it also represents an important milestone in our partnership with BVG. The new trains are the result of more than five years of intensive collaboration. We are delighted that the vehicles are now gradually entering passenger service. A big thank you to all the teams for their excellent work!”
11.09.2025
