From December 2023, 18 new two-story Desiro HC trains from Siemens Mobility will commence service on the Franconia-Thuringia Express network in Germany, this is reported by the railway transport news portal, Railway Supply.

Siemens Desiro HC trains

These new trains, capable of reaching speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour, are equipped with 380 seats and space for 36 bicycles.

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They offer free Wi-Fi and an electronic passenger information system with 27 monitors.

Additionally, these new units feature high-frequency windows to enhance phone reception.

The expanded Franconia-Thuringia Express service will be operated by DB Regio Bayern with a frequency of up to every 30 minutes.

In the first phase, in December 2023, 18 four-car trains will begin serving four routes in Franconia and southern Thuringia.

In June 2024, eight additional six-car Desiro HC trains will start running on the high-speed line VDE 8.1 in Erfurt. These trains are specifically designed to operate at a maximum speed of 190 km/h and will have 634 seats.

Overall, the states of Bavaria and Thuringia are investing 320 million euros in this new train fleet to enhance their regional transportation capabilities.

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