Stadler has won the contract launched by Fahrzeugmanagement-Region Frankfurt RheinMain (fahma), a subsidiary of Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), to supply 27 Citylink vehicles for the new Regionaltangente West (RTW) line in the Frankfurt region. The agreement covers both the production of the vehicles and comprehensive maintenance services and spare parts supply for a period of 30 years.
The vehicles will be developed specifically for the requirements of the RTW project and will be dual-system, capable of running on both mainline rail infrastructure and light rail networks. This feature allows the RTW line to be integrated into the mixed urban-regional network of the metropolitan area.
50-meter vehicles, accessible at three different platform heights
Each Citylink vehicle will be approximately 50 meters long and have a capacity of around 360 passengers, while also providing easy access for people with reduced mobility.
An essential element of the design is the ability to serve three different platform heights: those specific to Deutsche Bahn (76 and 96 cm) and RTW-dedicated platforms (80 cm).
This is crucial for uninterrupted operation on routes that combine urban and regional segments without the need to change vehicles.
First vehicles in 2028, full operation in 2030
The first three units, required for testing and approval, will be delivered in autumn 2028.
The rest of the fleet will be delivered gradually, so that all vehicles will be available by autumn 2030.
According to current planning, the Regionaltangente West line is scheduled to go into full operation with the timetable change in December 2030.
A strategic project for mobility in the Rhine-Main region
“With the award of the contract for the delivery and maintenance of the vehicles, a further decisive step has been taken towards the completion of the Regionaltangente West,” said Prof. Knut Ringat, CEO of RMV and general manager of fahma.
He pointed out that the three main sections of the line are already under construction and that the decision on the rolling stock consolidates the timetable for the start of operations at the end of 2030.
For his part, Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Division Spain, highlighted the uniqueness of the project and the technical challenges of accessibility at different platform heights.
He said that the experience of the Stadler teams will ensure that the project is completed on schedule and will help to increase the attractiveness of public transport through dual-system vehicles that allow passengers to avoid changing trains.
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