ÖBB Cityjet TALENT 3 showcased for the first time at InnoTrans

The first finished flexible Bombardier TALENT 3- type ÖBB Cityjet train is being showcased with the manufacturer Bombardier Transportation at InnoTrans.

Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB-Holding AG, said: “Our goal is to make rail travel an integral part of a modern Austrian lifestyle. For this reason, the vehicle fleet is designed not only with an emphasis on tasteful design and comfort, but on accessibility also. With this procurement, ÖBB is setting an international benchmark for modernity for all our passengers.”

The first new generation 21 ÖBB Cityjets are to be deployed in Vorarlberg beginning in 2019. Tirol also follows suit with 25 vehicles ordered in July 2018, the first of which are scheduled to be on rails starting in 2020. All vehicles in Austria and Germany will receive unrestricted registration, with six of the 25 in Tyrol being registered in Italy so that cross-border traffic to South Tyrol will be possible without changing trains at the Brenner Pass.

With up to 304 seats and 53 bike racks, passengers in Vorarlberg can expect an appealing design and comfortable seats with adequate legroom. In the Tyrol version, there are up to 316 seats and 24 bike racks. The seats have adjustable backrests and seat cushions as well as footrests and sockets. This vehicle also features a modern passenger information system, Wi-Fi, including the ÖBB onboard Portal Railnet Regio and plenty of space for prams, bicycles, winter sports equipment and luggage.

Laurent Troger, President of Bombardier Transportation, said: “At Bombardier, it is important for us to be a reliable partner for our customers and a guarantor for the design and development of ecosystems. The teams at ÖBB and Bombardier worked closely together to ensure this success in the development, design and construction of this vehicle. With an optimised passenger experience, more capacity and reliability, the TALENT 3 ensures optimum mobility in Austria and stands for the future of the rail vehicle sector.”

An intelligent, high-performance air-conditioning system and a zone concept with different lighting options for different customer needs, such as working or relaxing, is also incorporated in the vehicle.

The low-floor vehicles have sliding steps at all entrance doors and offer two separate toilets, one of which is designed for barrier-free access as per the requirements of the associations for people with reduced mobility.

The demand for flexibility and comfort is increasing every day and so ÖBB has planned a revolutionary vehicle concept. Thanks to its modular design, the ÖBB Cityjet TALENT 3 makes it possible for the first time to switch between winter and summer layouts in multi-purpose zones. In winter, the multi-purpose zone provides sufficient stowage space for winter sports equipment, while the summer layout offers a total of 53 bicycle parking spaces. This modular design is currently unique to the market.

The window panes are also an innovation in themselves: A special coating optimises wireless reception in the train. The high-frequency windows allow radio waves to pass through much more than the conventional windows that have been used previously. This allows passengers to better stay connected to the internet.