Challenges in Expanding Railways Infrastructure Amid Adversities
In a significant move towards modernizing urban transit in Germany, Hitachi Rail has been selected as the manufacturer for a new fleet of city rail vehicles ordered by Rheinbahn and Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft. The vehicles will incorporate Hitachi Rail's advanced technology, including their SelTrac™ Vehicle On-Board Controllers (VOBCs), which enable full automation capabilities.
The HFx city rail vehicles will showcase several key features, including advanced automation for driverless operation and improved system reliability. The modern design of these vehicles will be optimized for urban transit needs, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, passenger comfort, and accessibility. Enhanced safety and control systems will also be derived from Hitachi's expertise in automated rail transit.
Rheinbahn and Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft, major German transit operators, are seeking to upgrade their fleets with state-of-the-art rolling stock. The procurement is being carried out jointly with Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft (DVG). The contract includes a 24-year spare parts supply contract.
The new HFx trains will replace the red trains from the 1980s. Four monitors integrated into the ceiling and USB charging points distributed in the seating areas are part of the infotainment package. Passengers with suitable hearing aids can receive all announcements via inductive hearing loops. All vehicles will be Wi-Fi enabled.
Michael Richarz, Board of Technology and Operations, mentioned that the HFx vehicle concept was developed with a focus on being powerful, technically advanced, and attractive for passengers. The vehicles can accommodate a maximum of 178 passengers, with two multifunctional areas for wheelchairs, prams, or bicycles.
The Supervisory Board of Rheinbahn has approved a contract for the delivery of 91 new generation city rail vehicles of the HFx type. Rheinbahn has an option for up to 42 more vehicles in addition to the 91 ordered. The manufacturer of the vehicles cannot be announced until after the decision of the committee in Duisburg, scheduled for late September.
Delivery of the vehicles is scheduled for the years 2025 to 2027. The new trains differ significantly from the familiar vehicles, featuring fully clad couplings in the specially designed vehicle front to protect pedestrians. A special lighting concept ensures direct illumination of the door areas while the seating areas are indirectly lit.
Driver assistance systems such as electronic collision warning systems are included, triggering active braking in case of an emergency to minimize the consequences of a collision. The total net volume of the order is around 340 million euros.
However, Rheinbahn is expecting a record deficit of 150 million euros for the coming year, due to high investments, increased production, the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential cancellations of season tickets for employees working from home. Klaus Klar, CEO and Works Director of Rheinbahn, stated that the HFx trains will offer a high level of comfort and visually enhance the cityscape. The currently used high-floor trains on the routes through the Heinrich-Heine-Allee/Hauptbahnhof tunnel have been in service for many years.
The new HFx trains, ordered by Rheinbahn and Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft, will be manufactured by Hitachi Rail, showcasing advanced automation and emphasizing energy efficiency alongside passenger comfort and accessibility. The $340 million project, which includes a 24-year spare parts supply contract, also features improvements in finance, with the goal of modernizing public-transit transportation systems in Germany.
