Go-Ahead services commenced between Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Aalen on June 9, with Lot 1b (Rems-Fils network) covering Stuttgart - Aalen - Crailsheim and Stuttgart - Geislingen - Ulm services, and Lot 1c (Franken-Enz network) the Stuttgart - Aalen, Stuttgart - Karlsruhe, and Stuttgart - Heilbronn - Lauda - Würzburg lines.
The second stage of the contract is due to commence with the introduction of the December timetable.
Abellio also launched services on routes RB 17a Stuttgart - Mühlacker - Pforzheim - Bad Wildbad/Wilferdingen-Singen; RE 17b Stuttgart - Mühlacker - Bruchsal - Heidelberg; and RB 17c Stuttgart - Mühlacker - Bruchsal on June 9.
In May, Abellio announced it would be required to use alternative trains on some routes in Baden-Württemberg and subcontract other services to DB Regio following the late delivery of a fleet of 52 Talent 2 EMUs by Bombardier.
Go-Ahead services are operated by a new fleet of 28 low-floor Flirt EMUs supplier by Stadler, which are maintained at a new depot in Essingen. All trains are equipped with air-conditioning, folding tables, at-seat power sockets, passenger Wi-Fi, and accessible toilets. There will be between 24 and 51 bicycle spaces on each train, depending on the type of rolling stock and formation.
Go-Ahead and Abellio were awarded the contract by the German state’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in 2015.
