"Lichtbahn" starts regular service

In a city like Jena, whose character is shaped by its special geographical features such as its valley location, river and surrounding hills, streetcars play a central role in the public transport system. With an average of 34,000 passengers a day, they form the indispensable backbone of local transportation. They improve the city's mobility, relieve traffic congestion, reduce environmental pollution and improve people's quality of life. Against this backdrop, today (December 16, 2023) is of historic significance for the transport company and for the city: the first vehicle of the next generation of Jena streetcars, the "light streetcars" with the number range 800, was ceremoniously launched on its maiden voyage. This marked a new milestone in the modernization and investment strategy for strong, comfortable, sustainable and barrier-free local transport.

Behind the nickname "Lichtbahnen", which is based on the "City of Light Jena", lies the bidirectional multi-articulated TRAMLINK vehicle type. The TRAMLINK vehicles are designed and manufactured by Stadler Valencia, Spain. The first 42-metre-long "light rail" was delivered to Jena's local transport system in May of this year; eleven further streetcars of the same size followed. Following the usual commissioning and approval procedures as well as the first driver training sessions, the streetcars are now gradually going into passenger service. The first twelve streetcars are being funded with 23.4 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia.

Minister Susanna Karawanskij from the Thuringian Ministry of Infrastructure and Agriculture: "We want to encourage people to switch to environmentally friendly and low-emission means of transportation. Public transport is an indispensable part of public services, a sustainable mobility transition and climate policy. The fact that the Free State is supporting the procurement of a total of 24 vehicles of the new streetcar generation in Jena with 46.7 million euros in funding is a good investment in the future. Comfort, reliability and service quality in local public transport - the new streetcars will make a significant contribution to this in Jena."

The external appearance with its timeless, simple and functional design gives the "light streetcars" a special aura. Andreas Möller, Managing Director of local transport, emphasized that these are not "off-the-peg models": "Our employees contributed their ideas to the concept from the very beginning - both in terms of design and technical features. The new and, above all, larger streetcars symbolize a quantum leap in mobility for Jena."

The vehicles are characterized by the following features:

1. complete accessibility: the streetcars meet all accessibility requirements for public transport in accordance with the Passenger Transportation Act: barrier-free boarding and alighting can be achieved without folding ramps and without the assistance of the driver.

2. high level of comfort: large, bright, friendly and air-conditioned compartments increase passenger comfort for all user groups. Multifunctional areas provide more space and freedom of movement for individual passengers as well as for baby carriages and wheelchair users.

3. modern functionalities: New features include an advanced passenger information system and an efficient air conditioning system that can be controlled via GPS. In addition, reliable, efficient and high-quality components have been installed, resulting in lower life cycle costs.

Steffen Gundermann, Managing Director of Jenaer Nahverkehr, added: "Not only do our passengers now experience more comfort on the move, our streetcar drivers now also have improved workplaces. The driver's cab with separate air conditioning, an ergonomically designed driver's platform, a new vehicle control system and many functional details that were designed and ultimately implemented by the employees as part of the project ensure this."

Tramlink "Lichtbahn" with a length of approx. 42 meters

Manufacturer: Stadler

Commissioning: 2023

Concept: bidirectional operation

Track gauge: 1,000 millimetres

Maximum speed: 70 km/h

Seating capacity: 80

Standing room: 161

Length: 41.88 meters

Height: 3.56 meters

Doors: 6 per side (2 single and 4 double doors)

Total engine power: approx. 600 kW

Further sound bites:

Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Lord Mayor of the City of Jena: "Jena's local transport system reliably ensures that people in our city reach their destinations. The streetcar already carries two thirds of all journeys, without it public transport in Jena would be unimaginable. With the new and larger light rail vehicles, Jena's public transport system and Stadtwerke Jena are now taking public transport into the future in a sustainable way - with a view to the growing and increasingly attractive city of Jena."

Christian Gerlitz, Mayor of the City of Jena and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Jenaer Nahverkehr: "In order to be able to establish local public transport as an attractive alternative to private transport in the future, we are ensuring stable, barrier-free and modern local public transport with the new and larger light rail systems, which we would like to make accessible to even more people in the future, especially with the long-promised northern extension. With a view to the Climate Action Plan, we are actively reducing carbon dioxide, particulate matter and noise emissions. The city of Jena is thus making a sustainable contribution to the expansion of e-mobility and the realization of the transport transition. The new streetcars and the expanding network are a great asset for Jena as the backbone of local transport."

Claudia Budich, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Jena: "Transporting passengers as an important part of public services is part of the core business of our local public transport in Jena. With the 'Die Lichtbahn' investment project, we want to strengthen this core business and at the same time help shape the transport transition in Jena as a pioneer. We would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone involved in the project for their outstanding commitment, tireless efforts, dedication and passion in the planning, design, production and commissioning of this new vehicle. We wish all passengers a pleasant journey at all times!"