A MGT-XL tram will initially be operating on lines 1, 2 and 3 throughout the city as part of a three-month trial operation agreed with the manufacturer Stadler, which is part of the commissioning process. This marks the start of regular service for the first of a total of 17 XL vehicles (45 metres long). The first 30-metre-long MGT-M vehicle is expected to be approved in November and will then enter trial operation in daily regular service. There will be 39 vehicles of this short TINA variant.

"TINA marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our passengers and local transport in Halle (Saale) – it will be a real milestone. We are therefore releasing the first TINA from the internal commissioning process into public passenger service," says Vinzenz Schwarz, CEO of Hallesche Verkehrs-AG. "Not only are we bringing more comfort, safety and climate protection to the railways, we are also setting new standards that will make our city even more liveable. It's an incredible feeling to experience this leap into the future of local transport together with our passengers! Today, we are starting the official trial operation as planned – as agreed with Stadler."

The aim of this test phase is to extensively test the new vehicles under real conditions in terms of reliability and functionality. Among other things, doors, drives, air conditioning, passenger information systems and the collision warning system will be checked for usability and overall driving behaviour. In parallel with the first line vehicle, additional TINA vehicles will be used as training vehicles to gradually train all HAVAG drivers for the new generation of vehicles.

The new TINA tram sets standards in Halle (Saale) in terms of comfort, accessibility and energy efficiency:

• 100% low-floor – completely step-free access, with wide aisles and spacious passageways, including generous multifunctional areas for wheelchairs, walkers and prams

• Energy-efficient, automatic air conditioning for summer and winter

• Large panoramic windows – bright, friendly and with an unobstructed view

• Greater safety – crash elements, LED lighting, door buttons with visual display, cameras instead of exterior mirrors

• Innovative driver assistance systems – support for collision avoidance and monitoring of passenger changes

• Ergonomic driver's workplace – larger, more modern, with space for teaching staff and a separate entrance door

Why do some people find the TINA slightly noisier than the older trams?

The TINA trams (XL and M variants) weigh around 60 and 45 tonnes respectively, which is significantly more than their predecessors. This has led to higher vibrations during test runs and at a few locations in the HAVAG network. The reason for the higher weight is modern and additional vehicle components, such as larger windows and doors, air conditioning, longer carriage sections, more drive motors and reinforced safety components to reduce the risk of accidents. This leads to more vibrations – but don't worry: the manufacturer Stadler is already working with HAVAG on solutions that will help to reduce the vibrations. Regardless of this, compliance with the technical standards for rail vehicles in terms of audible noise (airborne noise) has already been verified by experts. The TINA trams are still in the type testing phase, during which they are being tested on the rail network and individually adapted to the requirements of the city and the infrastructure.

What happens after the trial operation?

After successful completion of the trial operation and acceptance, the TINA trams delivered successively by Stadler will be gradually transferred to regular service and replace the MGT6D vehicles, which are over 30 years old – for a modern, climate-friendly cityscape.

HAVAG has ordered a total of 56 TINA trams from Stadler, and five trams have already arrived at HAVAG. The new vehicles will shape the cityscape for at least three decades and are therefore a central component in the modernisation of the HAVAG fleet and one of the most important elements in the further development of sustainable mobility in Halle (Saale).