Bern Stadler Tramlink enter service

On 28 October the new Stadler Tramlink trams were used for the first time in public service in the Swiss capital. 

 

As part of the open day at the Bolligenstrasse depot, the municipal operator Bernmobil deployed the double-ended variant No. 912 as a shuttle between the depot, the exhibition centre at Gusianplatz and the line 9 terminus at Wankdorf Bahnhof. 

 

A few days later, on 1 November, regular deployment of the new Tramlink on line 7 between Bümpliz and Ostring began. 

 

Bernmobil has a total 27 Tramlink on order and the first eight are expected to be in the city by the end of the year. Of these 42.5 m long seven section trams, 20 are bidirectional and 7 unidirectional. 

 

Starting in early 2024 and lasting until 2025 the Tramlink will gradually replace the 12 Vevey cars and nine RBS Tram 2000 LRVs, which date from 1987-1990. In turn, these modern trams with partial low-floor access are to be gifted to Lviv in western Ukraine. 

 

To prepare for this cascade, a Swiss team was on site in Lviv in October. With contract options, Bernmobil has an option for up to 23 more Tramlink.