Brussels Transport Company (Stib) awarded Bombardier a framework contract in April 2018 to supply up to 175 TNG vehicles based on the company’s Flexity platform. The initial order for 60 vehicles is worth €169m.
The Art Nouveau-inspired interior and exterior design of the TNG was devised by the Yellow Window agency of Belgian designer Mr Axel Enthoven, who also styled Stib’s T3000 and T4000 trams and the new M7 metro trains being built by CAF.
Stib says the new vehicles will be more spacious and comfortable than their predecessors with wide doors, two multifunctional spaces for wheelchairs and pushchairs, improved seating for longer journeys, large passenger information screens and LED lighting.
The 32m LRV will accommodate 182 passengers, 47 of them seated, while the 43m-long variant will accommodate 256 passengers with 65 seated.
The first vehicle is due to be delivered to Brussels in mid-2020. The introduction of the TNG fleet will enable Stib to withdraw some of its oldest trams while increasing fleet capacity by 7%.
The mock-up will remain on public display in Place Royal until May 5.
