Funding approval for a further nine "light tracks"

Press release from Jena's public transport system:

Jena's local transport system has reason to celebrate: the Thuringian Ministry of Infrastructure and Agriculture has agreed to provide financial support for the procurement of a further nine streetcars. The funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and will cover up to half of the total costs. cover up to half of the total costs. cover up to half of the total costs. The streetcars are the shorter version (32 meters) of the TRAMLINK bidirectional multi-articulated vehicle, manufactured by Stadler Valencia in Spain.

The final decision on the investment in these modern, low-floor and barrier-free streetcars is still pending. If the decision is positive, this would be an important milestone for the modernization and planned expansion of Jena's streetcar network, particularly to strengthen the north-south axis. The city of Jena, characterized by special geographical features such as its valley and hilly location as well as a river, is dependent on well-developed public transport, especially streetcars, to ensure the mobility of all residents in the city and from the region. This is because streetcars play a central role in Jena's transport system and, with 34,000 passengers a day, form the backbone of local transport. They relieve traffic congestion, reduce environmental pollution and improve people's quality of life.

Streetcars with space

The nine low-floor streetcars are planned as five-car streetcars with a length of 32 meters. All vehicles have special multifunctional areas with sufficient space for wheelchair users, baby carriages and bicycles. In addition, the streetcars are equipped with five to six doors per side and a modern customer information system.

The new TRAMLINK streetcars, also known as "light streetcars", will replace the existing 33 GT6M vehicles. The first "Lichtbahn" will go into service in Jena in 2023, with the next ones starting successively in 2024 and 2025. The funding approval will allow nine more vehicles to be procured by 2026.

Completely barrier-free vehicles

The Jena streetcar fleet is therefore well on the way to becoming even more attractive and passenger-friendly. In general, the new streetcar procurement project of Jena's public transport system is based on the motto "We connect generations". Specifically, this involves more powerful, more energy-efficient and, above all, completely barrier-free vehicles that run on a stable rail network. The decision of the committees to invest in these new streetcars is of great importance for the prospering city of Jena - for future-proof and ecological mobility.

Christian Gerlitz, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Jenaer Nahverkehr and Mayor of the City of Jena, commented:

"I am very grateful that the Free State of Thuringia has kept its word and is once again providing a double-digit million sum to complete the renewal of Jena's streetcar fleet. With only two modern vehicle types left in the fleet, we will not only be able to offer our passengers more comfort, but the higher capacities and lower operating costs will also help us to further expand Jena's public transport services. Together with the federal funding of more than 31 million euros that has already been approved for the northern extension and the barrier-free extension of Line 1, this new state funding will enable us to take the backbone of Jena's local public transport to a new level in terms of quality and quantity."