The contract covers the operation of around 2.5 million train-km per year on lines R4 (Kassel – Wolfhagen – Korbach), R42 (Brilon Stadt – Korbach – Marburg), R94 (Erndtebrücke – Bad Laasphe – Marburg) and R39 (Bad Wildungen – Wabern – Kassel).
Services will be operated by a fleet of 27 DMUs comprising 13 Stadler GTW (class 646) and 14 Siemens Desiro (class 642) trains. The class 642s will replace high-floor class 628 DMUs currently used by KHB, providing 58cm entry floor height and level boarding across the fleet.
KHB already operates the network under a 15-year contract which began in 2002.
NVV managed the tender on behalf of its procurement partners Rhine-Main Transport Authority (RMV) and Westphalia-Lippe Transport Authority (NWL).
