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Bombardier tram to be tested in the city of Bratislava

Posted: 30 May 2012 | Bombardier | No comments yet

BOMBARDIER FLEXITY tram sets new standard in passenger comfort in the capital of Slovakia…

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A BOMBARDIER FLEXITY tram will be tested by the City of Bratislava, the local transport authority Dopravny podnik Bratislava (DPB) and Bombardier Transportation from May 30 to June 20, 2012. Passengers in Slovakia’s capital city will have the opportunity to experience the advantages of a modern low-floor tram for the first time, as only high-floor vehicles currently operate in Bratislava. The air conditioned 100 per cent low-floor FLEXITY tram is one of a series of vehicles currently being built at Bombardier’s Centre of Excellence for Trams and Light Rail Vehicles in Vienna, Austria, for the Spanish regional transport authority FGV for the city of Alicante. The unique combination of 100 per cent low-floor technology with conventional wheel-set bogies guarantees a smooth ride. The tram is particularly energy efficient as it is recuperation-enabled and feeds braking energy back into the network. Low-floor entrances ensure rapid passenger flow and barrier-free access for mobility impaired passengers as well those travelling with prams or heavy luggage. Its light and friendly interior includes large windows for panoramic views. The vehicle arrived in Bratislava on April 25 and has been undergoing extensive testing. Even for the test operation the tram needs to undergo the homologation process to guarantee passenger safety. The Mayor of the City of Bratislava, Dr. Milan Ftáčnik, said: “We welcome the cooperation with Bombardier and the possibility to have its modern 100 per cent low-floor tram on our city’s rail network. It provides us with the opportunity to show the citizens of Bratislava how comfortable, smooth and energy efficient public transport on modern, low-floor trams could be. We consider the further development and increase in rail transport in our city a key part of the solution to the traffic problems in our city.” Oliver Schmidt, Vice President Sales and Products, Bombardier Transportation said: “As the first manufacturer to provide Bratislava with a 100 per cent low-floor tram, built in its twin city Vienna, we are confident that passengers will greatly appreciate the advantages of a stepless interior and a smooth ride while enjoying the splendid views of this beautiful city.” The ecologically beneficial FLEXITY tram is 32.4 m long, 2.4 m wide and can accommodate up to 200 passengers (50 seated including six tip-up seats, 150 standing). To date, more than 1,000 FLEXITY 100 per cent low-floor trams have been ordered or are already in successful revenue service in cities around the globe. Approximately one third of these projects operate on 1,000 mm gauge networks like those in Bratislava.

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