The contract encompasses the following routes:
• Gross Rohrheim - Mannheim
• Mannheim - Graben Neudorf - Karlsruhe
• Eppingen/Aglasterhausen - Meckesheim - Heidelberg, and
• Bensheim - Mannheim.

In addition, the Mannheim - Worms - Mainz line, which is located almost entirely in the neighbouring state of Rhineland-Palatinate, will be integrated into the network from December 2021.

The contract will cover the operation of around 6 million train-km per year from 2021.

DB Regio will procure a fleet of Siemens Mireo EMUs to operate these services. The new trains will have an entry floor height of 76cm for level boarding, five multi-purpose areas for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and space for up to 26 bicycles.

A preliminary letter of award was sent to DB Regio on June 2 and the contract will be signed after an appeal period has lapsed.