German operator Üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG awarded Vossloh Kiepe and Alstom with the delivery of 50 tramways. The total order has a volume of approximately $176.6 million, with Alstom's share representing approximately $29 million for the delivery of 150 bogies. The contract includes an option to deliver 96 additional tramways, representing 288 additional bogies.
The first tramways, which will feature energy savings of 15 percent, due to efficient recovery of energy and lighter weight of the vehicles, are slated to enter service in 2013.
The bogies will be manufactured at Alstom's site in Salzgitter and the vehicles in Düsseldorf and Leipzig, Germany. Alstom will equip each of the 50 vehicles with one trailer bogie and two motor bogies.