Transdev Regio Ost GmbH can defend its existing business with Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn and will continue to operate Regional Express Line 6 between the Saxon cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz beyond 2024. This has now been announced by the responsible public authority as the result of the corresponding tender.
The new transport contract for about 1.1 million train kilometres per year will start with the summer timetable change on 9th June 2024 and end with the timetable change on 10 December 2031. The responsible authorities can extend the contract twice for one year each time. The special feature: The Leipzig – Chemnitz main line is expected to be electrified and converted to electric operation from 2028.
Eleven modern Alstom Coradia Continental vehicles are therefore to be used, as Transdev already uses on other lines in Saxony. The new electric trains, which will be provided by the public transport authority, have additional batteries that enable operation on non-electrified lines. Once electrification is completed, the vehicles will then be able to operate electrically as normal.
We are delighted with the entire team about this success in Saxony. We will pioneer and become the first operator of battery electric trains on an important main line in Saxony. This is animportant milestone on the further way to a more climate-friendly public transport. In addition, we can secure the jobs of our local colleagues in the longer term.
Henning Weize, Chairman of the Management Board of Transdev Regio Ost GmbH (MRB)
With the operation of the battery-electric trains in Saxony, Transdev can also gain valuable experience that can also be used in other networks of the group.