Ninety new Deutsche Bahn train cars will soon come to Germany’s rail system, marking the beginning of a new age of connected mobility for the transportation company. Each of the cars is able to be updated over the air like a modern car.
The S-Bahn cars, destined for Bavaria, are made by Siemens Mobility. S-Bahn is an urban-suburban short-distance rail system. S-Bahn Munich’s network is part of Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Regio’s network. There are currently about 1,000 daily train services that operate throughout the more than 400-kilometer network.
The train cars are an integral key to Deutsche Bahn’s future in Bavaria. They deliver more space and greater comfort for passengers, and provide a Germany-first passenger environment whereby the completely integrated S-Bahn trains are longer than 200 meters. They can hold up to 1,841 passengers.
“A 200-meter-long S-Bahn means higher capacity, better punctuality, and greater comfort for our passengers. Germany’s most modern S-Bahn trains will be an important component in our efforts to drive the mobility transition in the Munich region. Each of the new XXL trains will replace 1,500 cars during rush hours. This is truly local transport of the future,” Evelyn Palla, board member for regional transport at Deutsche Bahn AG, said in a press release.
The train cars have the added benefit of requiring little maintenance. They can also be updated via cloud computing technology, just like today’s most modern vehicles, like the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Siemens Mobility won the 2 billion Euros contract for the cars after an European Union-wide bidding process. Financing for the trains is guaranteed via a leasing model with the State of Bavaria.
“This marks a huge step towards ensuring even more climate-friendly mobility in Bavaria’s largest metropolitan area. We are heralding a new era and taking the Munich S-Bahn into the future. As the person responsible for regional rail transport in Bavaria, I can say that this investment is well worth the price. After all, no less than two-thirds of all local rail passengers in Bavaria will benefit from the trains, and virtually all local transport in the Munich region more or less depends on a well-functioning and attractive S-Bahn,” Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter said in a press release.
A 2024 report by Germany’s Federal Network Agency revealed that the average travel distance in regional and local rail passenger transport from 2019 to 2023 was 20.4 kilometers. Local and regional rail transport in the country tabulated 2.72 million passengers in 2023.
In the U.S., Amtrak recently started service of its NextGen Acela train, which is widely regarded as the most advanced version of passenger train travel in the country. While it has many of the same features as the Siemens Mobility cars for Deutsche Bahn, including free Wi-Fi, it lacks the cloud connectivity.
Siemens Mobility
Siemens Mobility
Siemens Mobility
Seating has been redesigned for the new Deutsche Bahn cars. There are three- and four-seat arrangements, as well as group areas with folding seats. Special space is designated for wheelchair-bound riders. Not all cars have the same configuration.
A robust air conditioning system has been installed, and it’s billed as being able to keep car occupants cool in extreme heat up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Modern displays are featured above the doors on the inside and outside of the car, on the ceiling and in the transitions between cars. The displays track the journey of the trains and provide information about car occupancy.
The cars have been designed to feature wide-opening doors and spacious entry areas to optimize passenger entry and exit times.
Passengers with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can connect their sound enhancement devices to the train’s Bluetooth, allowing them to hear announcements in-ear.
The new S-Bahn passenger cars will enter service in 2028 in Bavaria.
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