Bombardier Transportation signed a contract for the delivery of up to 60 Bombardier Flexity trams with the City of Basel’s Transport Authority (BVB). It is the biggest order placed by the BVB in its 116-year history. The contract is valued at approximately $241 million.

The contract consists of options for several deliveries: the first delivery comprises the vehicle specifications and two Flexity trams. The first new trams will go into operation in time for the opening of the extension of tram line number eight to Weil am Rhein, in 2013. From 2014, two new Flexity trams will be delivered to Basel every month, subject to confirmation by the legislature of the Swiss canton Basel-Stadt.

Basel’s trams, known locally as “Drämmli”, are close to its people’s hearts in a city where public transport has a huge significance and a proud tradition. Therefore, it was especially important to fully tailor the new Flexity Basel trams’ design to the customer requirements. With a total of 900 employees, Bombardier is deeply rooted in Switzerland.

The Flexity Basel tram represents a strong continuation of the successful Bombardier tram family which is already in operation in cities around Europe including: Berlin, Geneva, and Marseille, France.

The Flexity tram with optimum seating arrangements and a light and friendly interior design is setting new standards in urban mobility. Its combination of 100% low-floor technology and conventional wheel-set bogies is the hallmark of Bombardier low-floor trams, ensuring a smooth ride and low-noise operation as well as fulfilling all safety standards.

The Flexity trams benefit from the Bombardier ECO4 product portfolio, emphasizing energy, efficiency, economy and ecology. Energy consumption is reduced by up to 30% by recuperating braking energy. The Bombardier Flexx bogies ensure optimum wheel-track interaction, reducing wear and tear and enhancing the passenger experience.

Nineteen cities worldwide have decided to buy approximately 1,000 low-floor Flexity trams. The new trams will be manufactured in Bautzen, Germany and in Vienna, Austria.