GERMANY: Following a European tender, regional authorities RMV and NVV have selected incumbent DB Regio for the next contract to operate Main-Weser passenger service RE30 between Frankfurt, Gießen, Marburg and Kassel.
The contract will run for 14 years from December 15 2024. The current timetable with a train every 2 h is to be retained, although capacity on the route is to be increased.
DB Regio plans to deploy a new fleet of 13 four-car and and four five-car Alstom Coradia Stream HC partly double-deck electric multiple-units. These will have two classes of accommodation; all seats will have power sockets, and there will be free wi-fi and 30 bicycle parking spaces per train.
‘The Main-Weser-Express between Frankfurt and Kassel is one of the most important regional train connections in the RMV area’, said RMV managing director Knut Ringat announcing the contract award on November 5. ‘New and longer trains on the route will offer passengers 15% more capacity at peak times. The uniform entry height at the doors will also makes it easier for people with reduced mobility to board.’
