GERMANY: Hannover city transport operator Üstra has exercised an option for a further 46 Type TW3000 light rail vehicles which takes its total order to 146, Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Kiepe Electric announced on June 1. Deliveries are scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.
Consortium leader Kiepe Electric will be responsible for the electrical systems and bodyshells, while Alstom will supply the bogies equipped with rubber-sprung low-noise wheels.
This latest order is the second option on a contract for 50 vehicles which was placed in April 2011 and subsequently followed by an firm order for a further 50 vehicles.
TW3000 high-floor LRVs are already operating on routes 3, 4 and 7, and are gradually replacing the Type TW6000. The design features impact absorption elements for driver and passenger safety. The interior lighting can be changed between warm yellow on cold days, cool blue on hot days and ‘soothing’ green for event shuttles to generate a sense of well-being among the passengers.
