New Citylink NET 2012 LRVs in Karlsruhe: Electrical competence for passenger comfort and attractive regional transport

▪ The last LRV of the Citylink NET 2012 type has been delivered to Karlsruhe
▪ Homologation according to both BOStrab and EBO
▪ Low-floor vehicles are operated both in the city and in the region
▪ Innovative drive, control and air conditioning systems from Kiepe Electric increase the passenger comfort

Kiepe Electric, a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse AG, the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of further subsystems for rail vehicles and commercial vehicles, has delivered the last vehicle of the new LRV generation to Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe (VBK) and Albtal-Verkehrsgesellschaft (AVG) together with Stadler Valencia. These LRVs, which have been equipped with electrical systems from Kiepe Electric and with braking systems from Knorr-Bremse, provide reliable operation, more passenger comfort and comfortable connections into the region.

“Stadler and Kiepe Electric’s LRV solution is of utmost importance to the innovative transport concept of the City of Karlsruhe,” comments Dr Jürgen Wilder, member of the executive board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the rail vehicle systems division. “Our competence in electrical system has contributed substantially to the realisation of this concept, which offers high passenger comfort and ensures attractive regional rail transport, which in turn contributes significantly to reducing congestion on the roads.”

The LRV fulfils the increasing requirements for mobility and ride comfort
Dr Alexander Pischon and Ascan Egerer, managing directors of VBK and AVG, seem happy as they welcome the latest and last Citylink NET 2012 LRV in Karlsruhe: “The Citylink LRV is a brilliant example of a vehicle that ensures very safe operation as well as high comfort to our passengers in Karlsruhe and the Albtal.” Meanwhile, the passengers’ response to the barrier-free vehicle with its characteristic black front is very positive.

Iñigo Parra, CEO of Stadler Valencia, stresses the positive and long-term collaboration: “We have worked together as a good team for eight intensive and productive years. Since the signing of the first contract in 2011, we have delivered altogether 75 vehicles, which have improved the mobility of the citizens of Karlsruhe, one of the most pioneering cities in the world on mobility issues.”

Dr Heiko Asum, Managing Director of Kiepe Electric, points out that the electronic equipment of the barrier-free Citylink LRVs has been adapted to the specific infrastructure of Karlsruhe and its region. “These vehicles have been homologated according to both BOStrab and EBO, their subsystems have been integrated into the electrical control and they have an innovative air-conditioning system. We have succeeded in using our broad competence in this project to the benefit of the operator and the passengers.”

Flexible operation thanks to homologation according to both BOStrab and EBO
The new Citylink LRVs have been homologated according to the German Federal Regulations on the Construction and Operation of Tramways (BOStrab) for the operation in Karlsruhe and according to the German Regulations Governing the Construction and
Operation of Railways (EBO) for the operation on the S1/S11 lines into the region. Of course, they also fulfil the requirements for the future operation in the new tramway tunnel in the city of Karlsruhe. The LRVs are 37.2 metre long. They have 108 seats and room for 134 standing passengers. As regards the design of the vehicle focus was on easy accessibility, high comfort and utmost safety. The passengers can easily enter the passenger compartment at five broad double doors. The ample interior impresses with its modern and pure design as well as its multi-purpose areas for wheelchairs and prams. Beside designing the vehicle Stadler Valencia has manufactured the bogies and the vehicle bodies and assembled the vehicles. Knorr-Bremse has delivered the braking systems for the vehicles and Kiepe Electric has equipped them with its reliable and innovative electrical technology. Thus, the company has provided the complete traction equipment, the vehicle control, the on-board power supply system, the HVAC systems for the passenger compartment and the driver’s cab, the command/control system, the passenger information system and the CCTV.

Pleasant temperature for the passengers and for the driver
Kiepe Electric’s innovative HVAC systems provide good air conditioning in the passenger compartment and the driver’s cab. They are controlled by software, which ensures the pleasant temperature in the vehicle on the basis of a standard temperature setting.