AUSTRIAN Federal Railways (ÖBB) and German Rail (DB) presented an updated Nightjet Comfort couchette during an event in Hamburg on July 12.
ÖBB is converting 22 conventional Bmz series passenger coaches into new multifunctional Nightjet couchettes, which will be deployed on the Zurich - Berlin, Zurich - Hamburg, Innsbruck - Munich - Cologne - Amsterdam, and Vienna - Cologne Nightjet routes. The interior concept is based on the new Nightjet coaches that Siemens is building for ÖBB with delivery of these coaches expected to commence in 2023.
The upgraded coaches feature newly designed four-seat compartments with fixed beds, which ÖBB says will increase comfort for passengers, in particular for families. Each coach will also offer a fully accessible compartment with two beds and an accessible toilet for passengers with reduced mobility. There is also space for three bicycles while free Wi-Fi and charging points will be available onboard.
Ms Sabine Stock, member of the board at ÖBB Passenger, says the operator is aiming to double Nightjet traffic to 3 million passengers a year by 2026. To deliver this objective, she says it is important to not only serve new destinations but to also offer modern and comfortable rolling stock.
“With the Nightjet upgrade programme, we have transformed conventional coaches into modern, multifunctional couchette coaches,” she says. “This increases sleeping comfort and privacy for our passengers.”
