DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung launches fleet for Elbe-Spree network

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    • Article: DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung launches fleet for Elbe-Spree network

    Passengers on regional transport in Greater Berlin can look forward to more comfort and new digital services. DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung is modernising 145 double-decker coaches and 29 electric locomotives for future use on the Elbe-Spree network. This major project will be implemented at the Wittenberge and Dessau maintenance depots.

    Over the next three years, DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung's Wittenberge maintenance depot will be working hard to make regional transport in the greater Berlin area more attractive. By the timetable change in December 2022, 145 Dosto 97 and Dosto 2003 double-decker coaches will have been converted into a state-of-the-art fleet with uniform convenience and service features for passengers, on behalf of their customer DB Regio Nordost. A complex project – since the vehicles, produced by Bombardier, come in 19 different designs. When modernisation has been completed, there will only be seven left. The interior of the coaches will be renewed, including seats and wall coverings, as well as lavatories and fitting LED lighting. Depending on their design, some double-decker coaches will also get retractable steps to bridge the gap between coach and platform, as well as bogies for speeds of up to 160 km/h and braking technology adapted to this.

    Many digital features

    A new convenience feature available to passengers in future will be Wi-Fi. A number of other innovative applications will also be made possible thanks to Colibri, the IT system developed by DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung, such as CCTV surveillance of passenger areas, including remote data transfer and connection via radio, an automated passenger counter, a new traveller information system and a demand forecast showing passengers which seats are free on the train. There will also be a diagnostic system to record defects and malfunctions before forwarding them to the maintenance depot to speed up the repair service, and to collect data for quality evaluation. The project also includes 29 Class 182 and 147 electric locomotives fitted out for the Colibri applications at the Dessau maintenance depot.

    Series modification begins in 2021

    DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung began planning and preparing the project back in April 2019. The prototype conversion phase is planned for autumn 2020; series modification is due to begin in the second half of 2021 and to be finished by November 2022.

    DB Regio Nordost was awarded the contract for the Elbe-Spree network, lots 2 and 3, in January 2019. The tender was put out by the network of regional and local transport authorities of the German states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.