GVB selected CAF as preferred bidder last month for a contract to supply 63 LRVs, which will be designated type 15G, with options for up to 60 additional vehicles. GVB says the tender appeal period has now ended and it hopes to finalise the contract with CAF before the end of the year.
A full-scale mock-up will go on public display to allow passengers and other interested parties to comment on the interior design and accessibility.
The first vehicles are expected to enter service in the second half of 2019 and deliveries will be completed by 2022, enabling the withdrawal of older vehicles. The LRVs will be bidirectional to enable operation on the new Line 51 to Amstelveen.
At 30m, the five-section vehicles are around 70cm longer than the Siemens Combino LRVs, which are currently the most modern trams in the GVB fleet. The vehicles will accommodate up to 175 passengers, 50 of them seated.
