The contract for the additional 50 LRVs is worth €130m and is being 50% funded by the Lower Saxony state transport company LNVG. Üstra still has an option for a further 46 vehicles from the original order placed in 2011.
The new LRVs will start to replace Üstra's fleet of type TW 6000 vehicles which have been in service for 30 years. Dynamic testing of the first TW 3000 units will begin shortly and Üstra expects the new vehicles to enter service on lines 3 and 7 in March next year.
The TW 3000 is a 25m-long bi-directional high-floor vehicle designed to provide a high level of passenger comfort. The cabs have been ergonomically designed following consultation with drivers.
