The contract covers the operation of around 2.5 million train-km a year on two routes, which are currently operated by DB Regio:

  • RMV Line 55: Frankfurt (Main) – Offenbach/Frankfurt East – Hanau – Aschaffenburg – Laufach, and
  • RMV Line 77: Aschaffenburg – Darmstadt – Mainz – Wiesbaden.

HLB will operate these services using a new fleet of 160km/h Alstom Coradia Continental EMUs, which will increase peak capacity to around 400 seats per train. The trains will be equipped with passenger Wi-Fi and power sockets and will also offer level boarding and increased space for bicycles.

Under the new contract Line 75 services will operate half-hourly on weekdays between 06.00 and 09.00 and between 14.00 and 19.00, with regular-interval hourly services along the entire route at weekends. Most Line 55 services, which currently terminate at Aschaffenburg, will be extended to Laufach.

RMV led the procurement on behalf of its partners in the tender, the Bavarian Rail Authority (BEG) and South Rhineland Palatinate Regional Rail Transport (ZSPNV-Süd). HLB was deemed to have offered the most economical and highest-quality bid.