German transit operator Üstra has taken up the option to order a further 46 light rail vehicles (LRVs) from a consortium led by Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Kiepe Electric.
The announcement takes the order up to 146 units of the TW3000 LRVs – to gradually replace their TW6000 predecessors – which are all estimated to be delivered by the end of 2019.
The high-floor vehicles will run on the public transport system in Hanover, where they already operate on lines 3, 4, and 7.
The initial order for a total of 50 LRVs was received in April 2011. After already exercising an option for a further 50 vehicles, Üstra is now taking up its second option for 46 units.
As consortium lead manager, Kiepe Electric is responsible for all of the electrical systems as well as the complete car body while Alstom supplies the bogies.