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Ceremonial signing of the Elbe-Spree network transport contract & presentation of the Siemens Desiro HC
The states will offer more service, trains and quality on their rail network.
The VBB handled the tender procedure on behalf of the four states
Vehicle presentation Desiro HC and contract signing of the Elbe-Spree network with representatives of ODEG, VBB, Siemens Mobility, the Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Planning of the state of Brandenburg, the Senate Department for the Environment, Mobility, Consumer and Climate Protection of the State of Berlin, the Ministry for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Ministry for Economics, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and the mayor of Brandenburg a.d. Havel.
A silent e-volution – the Siemens Desiro HC train
“The realization of the Elbe-Spree rail network marks another milestone on the way to climate-friendly mobility – and the mobility transition. By expanding service offerings as of this December, we will be able to provide five million more train kilometers a year in capacity. This will bring many improvements in service, especially in rural areas. In addition, passengers on the new network routes will benefit from the modern trains and higher service frequency. There will be more space, improved accessibility and free WiFi in the new trains. This is exactly what is needed to make rail transport a truly attractive alternative for the public.”
“When the new ODEG trains enter service as of December 2022, I expect a further boost in quality on the connections with the capital,” said Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs, Dr. Lydia Hüskens. “This way, we can provide good arguments for choosing the train when heading for the capital. We want to give our people in the state of Saxony-Anhalt a choice between well-developed means of transport, which requires that we have a well-developed infrastructure and high-quality mobility offers. The new trains are proof of this.”
“The commitment of the federal states to better connect the regions has paid off: The new Elbe-Spree network offers more train kilometers, higher service frequency, and longer trains with more space for passengers as well as bicycles, wheelchairs and buggies. This is a leap in quality that can be a decisive factor for commuters when deciding to do their daily travel by train rather than by car. We need this significant increase in the range and quality of rail transport in order to effectively promote the mobility revolution. I am pleased that this was so successful for the Elbe-Spree network.”
“The signing of the transport contract will significantly strengthen regional rail transport across the states. Commuters and travelers alike will benefit from this. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will have a direct connection to Berlin Airport, which will make arrivals and departures much easier, especially during the busy holidays. In addition, connections to the Baltic Sea will be further improved. We will be setting new standards with the Elbe-Spree network transport contract. Attractive public transport is essential for ensuring the success of the mobility transition.”
“We are really looking forward to using our state-of-the-art and proven Desiro HC trains on the Elbe-Spree network,” said Elmar Zeiler, Head of Commuter and Regional Trains at Siemens Mobility. “Passengers will benefit from the train’s generous spaciousness and high level of comfort. In addition, the Desiro HC for the ODEG features increased passenger capacity thanks to its sustainability-focused combination of single and double-decker cars. The trains will provide reliable, comfortable and safe local transport on the heavily traveled routes to and around the capital.”
“I would like to sincerely thank the VBB award team, and all the other departments involved in the award. There has never before been such a tender in Germany, with a total of 28 million train kilometers, an additional service offering of more than 30 percent, and a true cornucopia of innovations. I would particularly like to emphasize the high quality standards we were able to set for the benefit of the passengers, and the concrete improvements to the offer, which are clearly evident in the form of additional seats and connections. And thanks to the successful competition, this attractive package also remains affordable for the participating states.”
“I am very pleased that the signing of the Elbe-Spree network transport contract is taking place here in Brandenburg an der Havel. The takeover of the RE1 at the end of the year will not only increase capacity on the line, but also provide the long-awaited increase in service frequency, which will nearly match that of the S-Bahn. In recent years, the city of Brandenburg has experienced a strong influx, particularly of young people and families who want to live close to water and nature yet cannot and don’t want to forgo good connections with the Berlin metropolitan area. Conversely, the connections will also strengthen our businesses and universities in Brandenburg an der Havel over the long term and make them more attractive. Around 22,000 people already commute daily from the city of Brandenburg and neighboring districts, but also from the state capital Potsdam and Berlin. Brandenburg’s main railway station serves as a hub for an important mobility axis. Increased service frequency will provide greater flexibility and may make it easier for convinced car drivers to switch to rail, which would benefit climate protection over the long term.”
“The signing of the transport contract for the Elbe-Spree network marks the beginning of a new era in our successful company history. We have been working intensively on the Elbe-Spree network project for more than two-and-a-half year and are professionally preparing for the upcoming start of operations with increased traffic. Today we proudly presented our new state-of-the-art Desiro HC train, which will inaugurate a new dimension of travel. The entire ODEG team looks forward to transporting our passengers to their destinations comfortably, safely and reliably with these new trains.”
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One of the biggest German railway success stories began with the founding of ODEG in 2002. As a subsidiary of BeNEX and Prignitzer Eisenbahn GmbH, ODEG has developed into the largest private railway companies operating in eastern Germany. The company operates a total of 13 lines on behalf of the federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. ODEG uses the infrastructure of Deutsche Bahn AG for a fee. The company’s vehicle fleet, consisting of 50 trains, currently includes 16 KISS, 7 Desiro MLs, 6 Desiro Classics, 6 GTW 2/6, 14 RegioShuttle RS1s, and 1 FLIRT. Maintenance of the fleet is handled by a 100-percent subsidiary, Ostdeutsche Instandhaltungsgesellschaft mbH (ODIG). Additional information about the company is available at odeg.de.