Siemens TS Lands Big Order in Austria
15 June 2004
Siemens Transportation Systems (TS) will again team up with its consortium partner Elin EBG (Austria) to supply a further 150 ultra-low-floor (ULF) trams to the Viennese transit operator Wiener Linien. The contract, which also includes an option for another 150 ULF trams, was signed today in Vienna. The order (excluding the option) is worth about 357 million euros, with Siemens’ share amounting to around 255 million euros or approximately 70 percent.
This new ULF series still adheres to the original basic concept: with the world’s lowest entry height of 19 centimeters, maximum door widths, modern traction technology, and Porsche Design. New is the weight reduction, which has been achieved through simplification of the drive design and the changeover from water to air cooling. The addition of air conditioning now makes the ULF even more comfortable.
The low entry height is made possible by a design principle using portal running gear instead of conventional bogies. In this case, the wheels are driven individually by electric motors that are arranged not horizontally under the floor plate but vertically behind the sidewall paneling. This traction equipment also enables the recovery of braking energy and reduction of running noise. The wide doors and low step facilitate boarding and exiting by passengers, resulting in an overall time saving of 40 percent during operation.
The first 25 of the new ULF trams ordered are to be delivered in 2006, with the rest following by 2012. And there is still an option open for a further 150 ULFs after that. All the trams will be completely built at the TS production plant in Vienna.
Siemens was awarded the first order for 150 ULFs in 1997. Since their commissioning, these ultra-low-floor trams have traveled more than an aggregate 13 million kilometers in Vienna and have also won the hearts of passengers there. Wiener Linien currently has 130 ULFs in service.
The Transportation Systems Group (TS) of Siemens AG is one of the leading international suppliers to the railways industry. As single source supplier and system integrator, the Group combines in its business segments Automation & Power, Rolling Stock, Turnkey Systems and Integrated Services all the expertise necessary to cover the spectrum from signaling and control systems to traction power supplies, as well as rolling stock for mass transit, regional and main line services. Extensive experience in project management and forward-looking service concepts complement our portfolio. In fiscal 2003 (ended September 30) TS generated sales of EUR4.7 billion with a staff of around 17,700 the world over.
