DB Regio has signed a contract with Alstom for 29 double-decker Coradia Stream EMUs

photo: Alstom press materials/DB Regio has signed a contract with Alstom for 29 double-decker Coradia Stream EMUs

DB Regio, the German operator of regional and passenger trains, has signed a contract with Alstom to receive 29 Coradia Stream EMUs double-decker electric trains. They are scheduled to enter service in December 2025 and will serve lines RE50 (Frankfurt-Fulda-Bebra) and RB51 (Frankfurt-Wächtersbach) in the Hesse region.

"The new electric double-deck multiple-unit trains accelerate faster. It allows for a tighter interval, reducing travel time on the RE50 between Frankfurt and Fulda by an average of 8 minutes. In the future, the RE50 will even run to Bebra every hour during rush hour," Maik Dreser, Chairman of the Regional Management DB Regio Mitte said.

The EMU double-decker trains will provide a high level of travel comfort with barrier-free access to all doors and modern equipment. First-class cars will be equipped with four-seat groups with large tables, while second-class will have small wall tables, seat outlets, and free WLAN (wireless local area network). Among other things, the train will have 30 bicycle parking spaces.

"The Coradia Stream HC electric double-deck multiple units will provide more than 1,080 seats on the rail routes between Frankfurt and Eastern Hesse at peak times, and 840 seats during normal hours compared to the previous 720," said Knut Ringat, the Managing Director of Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV). He added that trains will enter service between Frankfurt, Central Hesse, and Kassel a year earlier and in Kinzigtal from 14 December 2025, according to the tender announced by the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund and the Nordhessischer Verkehrsverbund.

Among other things, DB Regio ordered 17 Coradia Stream high-capacity electric trains from Alstom for the Main-Weser rail subnet in January this year.