10.12.10
The Potsdam Variobahn on course
Today, the Supervisory Board of ViP Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam GmbH, together with the company management, saw the production status of the Variobahn at Stadler Pankow GmbH in Berlin for themselves for the first time.
The current production status is represented by the construction of the vehicle modules. The exterior vehicle design, the driver’s cab and the seating arrangement can all be seen. “After completion and assembly of the vehicle, the first tram will be sent to Velten in January for commissioning in our Service Centre,” says Michael Daum, Director of Stadler Pankow GmbH.
Burkhard Exner, Chairman of the ViP Supervisory Board, adds, “We are delighted that the production of the first vehicle is going according to plan at Stadler.”
The first vehicles of the new fleet of trams will enter service from September 2011. Ten trams of Variobahn type were ordered at Stadler Pankow GmbH in Berlin in January 2009.
The provincial capital of Potsdam is responsible for financing the new vehicles. Before awarding the order, it imposed exacting demands on the Potsdam public transport authority. The new vehicles must be 100% low-floored, meet the latest technical standards and permit usability for all passengers.
The Variobahn for Potsdam is air-conditioned, and its external appearance matches the Potsdam city corporate design. The consistent attention paid to the needs of people with limited mobility is also reflected in the interior; clear, simple structures, two folding ramps in the generously proportioned multifunctional areas, and a strongly contrasting colour scheme enable easy use by all passengers. Sixteen TFT screens provide relevant passenger information.
For further information please contact:
ViP Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam GmbH
Michael Hellwig
Marketing Department
Telephone: +41 (0)331 661 45 12
Stadler Pankow GmbH
Katrin Block
Sales and Marketing
Telephone: +49 (0)30 9191 1501