ÖBB orders more Desiro trains
Siemens Mobility has received a new order from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). The German manufacturer will supply an additional 24 Desiro ML regional trains. Thus, the total number of ordered trains has increased up to 189 units. The delivery of new vehicles will start in the summer of 2020.
The Desiro ML electric trains will be operated in Austria under the name “Cityjet”. The three-car units will serve the S-Bahn regional routes in eastern Austria. “The Desiro ML can be converted to battery-hybrid technology and therefore also be used in the future on non-electrified rail lines”, said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility. According to her, the trains will be manufactured at the company’s facilities in Krefeld, Germany, and Graz, Austria. The final assembly will be carried out at ÖBB’s Technical Services factory in Jedlersdorf, Austria.
Comfort travel
“The Cityjet guarantees a comfortable travel experience throughout Austria”, noted Sabrina Soussan. The trains have low-floor seating landscape and have about 22 per cent more seats compared to the units currently in service. The seats are equipped with reading lamps, electrical outlets and fold-out laptop tables. They also have adjustable seating surfaces, ergonomic headrests and armrests.
The 75-metre units can speed up to 160 kilometres per hour. They have special places for wheelchairs, bikes and prams. The low-floor doorways provide easy access without ramps at all 550-millimetre station platforms. At some regional stations with lower platforms, sliding steps and a lift are provided on each side of the train. The S-Bahn units have six doors on each side.
Desiro trains in Austria
Siemens Desiro is a popular train family widely used by railway operators in European countries. The vehicles also run in Russia, Israel, Malaysia, Thailand and the USA. ÖBB operates the Desiro trains since September 2005. They are classified as the ÖBB 5022 type. 60 Desiro units serve the regional routes in Austria.
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