Berlin’s Extra-Long ‘Urbanliner’ Tram Begins Passenger Service After Delays
Berlin, July 15 – After several years of delays, a new tram from Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has officially commenced passenger service. The first so-called ‘Urbanliner’ began operations at 9:43 AM on the M4 line in Berlin-Weißensee, one of the most frequently used lines in Berlin’s tram network, as announced by BVG.
“With these new vehicles, we are making our tram fleet, following the subway, capable for the next decades,” stated BVG CEO Henrik Falk. The vehicle acquisition is part of billions in investments the company plans to make in its fleet and infrastructure over the coming years. But what distinguishes the ‘Urbanliner’ – and why is it arriving so late?
Extra-Long Design for Increased Capacity
The ‘Urbanliner’, measuring just over 50 meters in length, is approximately ten meters longer than the next largest tram model, the ‘Flexity’. Both the entry points and the interior of the vehicle are designed to be fully barrier-free.
More Space for Passengers
The new tram offers space for 303 passengers, including 88 seats. This represents an increase of 70 seats compared to the ‘Flexity’ model. The interior also appears more spacious than previous series. In addition to multi-purpose areas for wheelchairs and rollators, there are seats at various heights, such as a 40-centimeter seat height for small and short-statured passengers.
Advanced Cameras and Sensor Technology
The ‘Urbanliner’ operates without traditional rearview mirrors. Instead, cameras cover all angles around the vehicle. “There are virtually no blind spots anymore,” BVG announced. An assistance system also warns drivers of obstacles in the driving path.
Capacity Boost for Key Lines
Unlike the subway, Berlin’s tram system does not face reliability issues due to maintenance-intensive, outdated vehicles, according to BVG. Therefore, the ‘Urbanliner’ is not intended to solve a stability problem but rather to expand seating capacity on important lines. The company has ordered a total of 65 trains from Alstom. Thirty of these are expected to be delivered by 2028, completely replacing the GT6 series currently operating on the M4 line. The remaining vehicles are slated to arrive by 2030 and will be deployed on other lines as well.
Significant Delays in Deployment
The ‘Urbanliner’ was originally meant to be in service much earlier. When the vehicle began test operations with BVG in the summer of 2024, its passenger service launch was announced for the first quarter of 2025. In February of this year, a new launch date was set but then canceled at short notice. The reason for these delays was disagreements with the licensing authority.
A major point of contention was the high overall weight of the vehicles. Consequently, two additional supports had to be installed in the subway tunnel area near Alexanderplatz. On the Falkenhagener Brücke, these trains – like all other trams – must also operate at a slightly reduced speed (55 instead of 60 kilometers per hour).
The introduction of the ‘Urbanliner’ marks a significant step in modernizing Berlin’s public transport system, aiming to provide a more comfortable and efficient travel experience for its residents and visitors.
Source: Berliner Abendblatt
