Stadler to Deliver 132 Custom High‑Floor Trams to Cologne in €700 Million Modernisation Drive

Stadler to Deliver 132 Custom High‑Floor Trams to Cologne in €700 Million Modernisation Drive

(IN BRIEF) Stadler will deliver 132 custom high‑floor light rail vehicles and 34 intermediate modules to KVB for €700 million, beginning pre‑series arrivals in 2029 and completing full delivery by 2032. The trains can be coupled into 70 metre sets carrying up to 470 passengers, enhancing network capacity and efficiency. Features include panoramic driver cabs with collision‑avoidance and video mirrors, adaptive displays, passenger‑count analytics, and hybrid wheels to lower noise. Interiors boast energy‑efficient HVAC, large LED‑lit information screens, open layouts for smoother boarding, and universal‑design accessibility. Engineered for a 30‑year lifespan, the order includes a long‑term maintenance and parts agreement. These vehicles will replace older stock on lines 4, 13, and 18, marking a major advance in Cologne’s sustainable mobility strategy.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 28-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Stadler has secured a landmark €700 million contract to supply Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) with 132 bespoke high‑floor light rail vehicles, plus 34 ten‑metre intermediate modules, as part of a sweeping fleet modernisation. Precisely engineered for Cologne’s network, these modular trains will begin arriving in 2029.

Each consist can be rapidly coupled to another, forming a continuous train up to 70 metres long and accommodating as many as 470 passengers—substantially boosting capacity and optimising the use of existing infrastructure.

Stefanie Haaks, CEO of KVB, emphasizes the impact on sustainable urban mobility: “With the city council’s go‑ahead, we gain vital planning certainty. This investment sends a clear signal in favor of the mobility transition and a strong public transport network. Our passengers and drivers will soon enjoy modern trams offering superior comfort.”

Technological highlights include panoramic‑view driver cabs, collision‑warning assistance, and blind‑spot‑free video‑mirror systems. Cockpit displays auto‑adjust to ambient light, and surveillance monitors integrate seamlessly into the dashboard. Advanced passenger counting with analytical software will refine operational planning, while hybrid wheels with aluminium rims reduce weight and noise.

Onboard interiors set new standards for comfort: energy‑efficient air conditioning maintains an ideal climate, 29‑inch monitors deliver real‑time travel information, and continuous LED lighting provides uniform illumination. Wider aisles and open‑plan seating promote smooth passenger flow, cutting dwell times. Every design choice—from materials to colour palettes—prioritizes accessibility to ensure barrier‑free travel.

Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Division Germany, comments: “Our modular high‑floor vehicles represent a powerful statement on future mobility—comfortable, energy‑efficient, and tailored to Cologne’s needs.”

Built for a minimum 30‑year service life, the trains come under a long‑term partnership in which Stadler will supply spare parts and provide ongoing maintenance and technical support, guaranteeing reliability over decades.

The first ten trainsets plus five coupling modules will enter pre‑series operation in 2029, with full series deliveries from mid‑2030 through late 2032. These vehicles will gradually replace the existing 2200/2300 and 5100 series on lines 4, 13, and 18.

About Stadler

Stadler has been building trains for over 80 years. The provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service and signalling technology has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. More than 15,200 employees work at 8 production and 6 engineering locations as well as over 80 service locations, including over 5,600 employees in Switzerland. The company is aware of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the mainline and urban transport sector includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, underground trains, tram-trains and trams. Stadler also manufactures mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger coaches. Stadler is the world’s leading manufacturer of rack-and-pinion railway vehicles.

About Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB)

With more than 4,000 employees, KVB is the fourth-largest municipal transport company in Germany. With its climate-friendly and environmentally friendly transport services, KVB is the leading mobility service provider in Cologne and the surrounding region. More than 236 million people travelled on the company’s buses and trains last year, and more than 334,000 passengers are now regular KVB customers. It operates twelve light rail lines and around 60 bus routes. KVB is committed to new, environmentally friendly technologies and is converting its entire bus fleet to electric drive, for example. Since 2015, the company has also been offering a bicycle rental system with great success. In 2024 alone, around 4.5 million rentals were registered.

Media Contacts:

Stadler Germany

Julia Bülow
Head of Communications & Marketing
Phone: +49 172 4640631
Email: Presse.Deutschland@stadlerrail.com
www.stadlerrail.com

Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG (KVB)

Matthias Pesch
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 221 5473304
Email: presse@kvb.koeln
www.kvb.koeln

SOURCE: Stadler