DB Regio orders further multiple-unit regional trains

Following the vehicle’s launch in 2016, this is the second order for Siemens’ new regional and commuter train platform, which will be built at the company’s factory in Krefeld, Germany.

Commissioning will follow in two stages: Service on routes in the states of Baden-Württemberg and southern Hesse will begin in December 2020, while service on the Mannheim-Mainz route, largely in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, will begin operation in December 2021.

“We’re especially pleased by the trust DB Regio is placing in us with this follow-up order,” said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens’ high-speed trains, regional trains and locomotives business. “This marks a further important milestone for the latest generation of our regional train, the Mireo. The Mireo combines a high level of performance, comfortable passenger experience and optimal flexibility over the train’s entire lifecycle.”

To meet the requirements of the public contracting authority, DB Regio has paid special attention to providing passenger comfort in the trains, which will have 200 seats as well as multi-purpose space available for wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers. The vehicles also have entrance heights of 76cm that enable level access at all platforms.

In addition, the Mireo train offers its passengers onboard WLAN, extensive passenger assistance and information systems, and state-of-the-art security monitoring systems.

The Mireo will operate as an S-Bahn (regional suburban rail system) in the Rhine-Neckar region and will serve as the ‘Murgtäler Radexpress’ on the route between the cities of Mannheim and Baiersbronn.

Customers for the Mireo are the Ministry for Transportation in Baden-Württemberg, the Zweckverband Schienenpersonennahverkehr Rheinland-Pfalz Süd (special-purpose association for regional rail transportation Rhineland-Palatinate south) (ZSPNV RLP Süd) and the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar GmbH.

When the trains are delivered, ownership will be transferred to a state company and they will be leased by DB Regio for the duration of the 14-year transport contract.