A programme to expand the tram and underground fleet has been underway in Frankfurt am Main for quite some time. The aim is to increase the passenger capacity, but various older trams were to be replaced and are gradually being taken out of service. These are the last remaining Pt series high-floor eight-axle light rail cars, which have been refurbished several times – four of them remain in operating condition today – and also the first 20 of the Düwag low-floor R series, which require comparatively high maintenance effort to keep them in service. However, they have been operating in Frankfurt for almost 30 years.
These older tramcars are being replaced by the new T series ordered from Alstom, which is the Frankfurt version of the Alstom Citadis model SX05. After several modifications, the order now totals 58 “T” cars, 24 of which are in a 31.5 metre long, three-part version with 191 standing and seating places, and a further 34 as 40 metre long, four-part trains with 248 standing and seating places. The Citadis have four or five bogies, two or three of which are powered. The first two three-car coaches have been in service since December 2022, but delivery of the other coaches has been significantly delayed. Only 14 new trams have currently been delivered – all of three sections – and the first four-section tram is not expected until the end of the summer. The trams already in service are currently being used on lines 16, 17 and 21, among others, but not exclusively.
In the metro sector, the focus is on expanding the capacity of trains of the U5 series, supplied by Bombardier between 2008 and 2016. Newly delivered are 24 two-section, approximately 25 metre-long centre cars, which are powered, offer an additional 48 seats and 136 standing places for passengers. They are coupled between the different sections of the existing fleet and can currently be found in operation on the U4 and U5 lines. The supplier is Alstom, the successor to Bombardier. The U5 series are in service on all Frankfurt underground lines.
Further reading on the subject:
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/frankfurt-t-instead-of-p-alstoms-low-floor-trams-start-service-and-replace-the-last-duwag-trams/
