METRO Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe
The Berlin public transport operator, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe AöR (BVG), has signed a framework agreement with Stadler for the delivery of up to 1,500 underground cars for use on the Berlin underground network.
This large order includes vehicles for both small-profile lines (JK series) and large-profile lines (J series).
Stadler will deliver 376 cars as two- or four-car units in the first call-off. This delivery is divided into 140 cars for small-profile lines (36 two-car and 17 four-car JK units) and 236 cars for large-profile lines (52 two-car vehicles and 33 four-car J units).
The vehicles have been in test mode since 2022 and have also been operating for testing purposes on the BVG rail network since 2024.
The new small-profile series JK and the large-profile series J have been developed for the specific requirements of the Berlin underground. There is a particular focus on using identical components in both vehicles as much as possible to speed up development and production and to simplify maintenance and spare parts requirements.
The JK series consists of two- or four-car units that can be combined to form six- or eight-car trains. The class J series can be configured as continuous two-, four- and six-car units. The vehicles are energy-efficient, low-noise and have a modern passenger information system.
Technical features
Technology
Car body made of aluminium
Smooth ride thanks to air suspension of running gear
Modern control and communication system-architecture
Modular configuration of the vehicle length (JK: 2 and 4 cars; JK: 2, 4 and 6 cars)
Comfort
2 doors (JK) or 3 doors (J) per car body and side
Enhanced sense of space due to the ultra-slim door pillars
Large entrance areas to the passenger compartments for a rapid exchange of passengers
Well-lit, welcoming passenger compartments
Modern passenger information system with interior monitors. Front and side displays on the outside
Grab poles between the seats
Big multifunctional zones in the end carriage
Large number of seats in the intermediate carriages
Personnel
Ergonomically designed driver’s cab
Increased user comfort due to memory functions
Reliability / Availability / Maintainability / Safety
Modern diagnostics system for better maintenance and availability
High proportion of identical parts between the J and JK series
Crash norm EN 15227 compliant
Fire protection standard EN 45545 compliant