Since Thursday, 7 May 2020, a brand-new metro started its service on Munich’s metro network. Munich’s transport company (MVG) started operating the first of a total of 24 new type C2 trains on line U6, namely the vehicle with the number 722. Three more trains (723 to 725) will also be operating in the next few days. The new C2 trains complement the 21 first-generation C2 trains that have been in operation since 2016. The vehicles have been built by Siemens Mobility in its Vienna plant.
The first new train arrived at the workshops of the Munich metro in Fröttmaning in June 2019. In the past few months, it underwent an extensive commissioning and testing procedure in order to obtain approval from the Technical Supervisory Authority (TAB) with the government of Upper Bavaria. The homologation for passenger service for the first and the three further trains is now available. There are no restrictions. The new subways differ only slightly from the 21 existing C2-type vehicles, not least to keep the approval process as short as possible. Significant technical optimizations, which resulted from the experience in operation at MVG, were taken into account by the manufacturer Siemens Mobility.
Ten percent more space per train
The connoisseur discovers new details e.g. on the stickers or the additional emergency button on the wheelchair space. The interior has been proven to be open and bright. Light strips indicate the door status (green: door released, red: door closes or blocks) and thus support the passenger exchange at the stations. The C2 trains offer space for around 940 passengers (220 seats) per train. This corresponds to an increase of almost ten percent compared to the old vehicles of type A and B which are still in service. In addition to the four trains that are now being used, three further sets have now arrived in Munich. They are also currently undergoing the approval process and will then gradually go into passenger operation. According to current planning, all trains in this re-order should be delivered, approved and ready for use by early 2022.
Like the existing predecessor vehicles, the new trains will initially run on lines U3 and U6. Approval for the U2 line is in preparation and is expected later this year. Alongside the U3 / U6, the U2 is the busiest line in the MVG network. Eleven of the 24 new vehicles replace older vehicles, 13 enlarge the fleet and thus also make it possible to improve service offering.
Type C2 train of the first C2 series in operation on line U3 I © D. Budach 
The type A trains will be gradually replaced by the new C2 series I © UTM 
Type A train in the original livery I © D. Budach
The trains will be built in the Siemens Mobility plant in Vienna. The investment costs are over 250 million euros. The Free State of Bavaria is funding current procurement with around 53 million euros. Maria Els, President of Upper Bavaria: “More space, more comfort, more modern: I am pleased that with the approval of the new C2 trains we can make an important contribution to the further expansion of public transport. Thanks to the good cooperation with the MVG, a punctual procedure was achieved in the schedule for the approval.” Sabrina Soussan, CEO Siemens Mobility added: “The new Munich subway trains offer increased capacity with increased passenger comfort. The new C2 fleet is characterized by particularly environmentally friendly and low-emission technology. “Ingo Wortmann, MVG boss and SWM managing director of mobility: “In Corona times, I am particularly pleased about the unlimited approval of the first trains. It goes on! We make the subway more attractive and more powerful. Commissioning is a strong signal for the turnaround in traffic and the expansion of public transport in Munich. My thanks go to everyone involved, especially for the speedy and constructive approval process.”
Source: MVG München
15.05.2020
