UP TO 210 multi-section low-floor trams may be ordered for the Berlin network.
On June 12 the board of Berlin Transport approved plans to buy four pre-series cars from Bombardier for delivery in 2008-09. If they prove successful, BVG may exercise options that could see up to 148 series-built cars enter service from 2010 onwards. A further 58 cars could follow after 2015.
Total value of the package is put at €570m, of which €18·4m is earmarked to lengthen stops to accommodate the cars. These will be 30m or 40m long and 2·4m wide with a multi-purpose section designed for passengers with wheelchairs, luggage or bicycles. The new cars would be built in Bautzen to a steel-bodied design. n
