10/23/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2023 09:11
erixx Holstein now also operates the battery-electric FLIRT Akku multiple units from Stadler on the Kiel - Lübeck - Lüneburg route and between Kiel and Kiel-Oppendorf, heralding a new chapter in commuter traffic in the far north. The joy of the start of the trains in regular service was shared by Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen with numerous guests from politics, administration and business, who today took a look at the new vehicles alongside the Minister on a train journey towards Lübeck.
Among the guests were erixx Holstein CEO Rainer Blüm and Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Germany, as well as NAH.SH CEO Dr. Arne Beck and Carmen Schwabl, CEO of the regional transport company Niedersachsen LNVG, who is involved in the project as a partner. Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen continued: "We are starting today to reap the rewards of sowing the seeds in 2015 with a great idea for the future of commuter transport in Schleswig-Holstein!"
Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Germany: "In 2017, we built the world's first battery-electric multiple unit approved for passenger use at Stadler. As a technology leader, we are particularly proud that the first fleet of our FLIRT Akku is now going into regular operation in Schleswig-Holstein and will help to reduce CO2 emissions. There is a great team behind this great product, and so today my thanks go in particular to the colleagues who developed and built the new trains. Of course, I would also like to thank the state of Schleswig-Holstein for giving us the opportunity to be the first to put these trains into service here."
erixx Holstein CEO Rainer Blüm added: "Now, thanks to our improved personnel situation, we can offer our passengers what they expect from us: higher reliability and comfortable, quiet and climate-friendly train journeys. Our employees are delighted with the new battery trains, because it is already clear how much everyone enjoys riding these trains."
The new vehicles have batteries that are mounted on the roof and under the vehicle. This means that they travel at least 80 kilometers in passenger operation without being recharged. The batteries are then charged at the overhead contact lines in stations or at the existing overhead contact lines on some routes. The timetables in the battery networks are designed so that the charging times are sufficient and there is enough travel time to the next overhead contact line. Malfunctions or problems during operation, such as longer unscheduled standing times, can be compensated with a battery buffer. In some places, new overhead contact line sections were built: a total of eleven kilometers.
Minister Madsen: "I would also like to thank DB Netz AG for their support in supplementing the infrastructure. This shows me once again that we can make a difference in rail if we all work well together."
The state of Schleswig-Holstein has ordered a total of 55 FLIRT Akku trains from Stadler. Stadler will take over the maintenance of the trains for 30 years on behalf of the state and for this purpose is building a new workshop in Rendsburg. The company is investing around 30 million euros for this, and the opening is planned for spring 2024.
The new trains each have 123 seats and storage space for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. The entrance to the vehicles is at the same height as the platforms and is therefore barrier-free. Comfortable NAH.SH-design seats with a larger seating distance were installed for the passengers. The vehicles offer WiFi and power sockets at the seats. A new passenger information system should keep passengers informed throughout the entire journey. The barrier-free toilet has a pleasant and modern look, and also contains a changing area.
For the selection of the trains, the country and NAH.SH had opted for a new, technology-open tender procedure.