“Direction: Future” – this was the motto accompanying the official presentation of the Solaris Tramino tram, which took place on November 9, 2013, in the center of Jena. The delivery of five fully low-floor trams for Jenaer Nahverkehr marks the completion of the Polish manufacturer’s first foreign contract for the supply of rail vehicles. The Tramino Jena is also the first Polish tram on the German market.
The German premiere of the low-floor Tramino began with an impressive entry of the tram into Ernst-Abbe-Platz. Following speeches by the Mayor of Jena, Albrecht Schröter, the Chairman of Jenaer Nahverkehr, Udo Beran, and Solaris Bus & Coach Board Member, Martin Gruber, the vehicle was christened. It was named after Jena’s twin city, Erlangen. The organizers also made other vehicles available to visitors – historic trams No. 26 and 101, as well as a Solaris Urbino 18 articulated bus, which recently joined the German carrier’s fleet. A number of attractions were also prepared on the square for the very large number of Jena residents who attended. The presentation concluded with a photo session of the Tramino “Erlangen” on the city streets.
– From January 2014, these elegant vehicles, distinguished by their timeless design, will enrich our city’s landscape. Compared to our current vehicles, they represent a huge step forward, not only in terms of aesthetics but, above all, technically. Solaris Tramino trams are an investment in the future; they will increase mobility in our city and thus make life easier for all residents of Jena – said Udo Beran, Chairman of Jenaer Nahverkehr.
– I am very pleased to have the privilege of presenting this beautiful vehicle to you. The five Tramino Jena units are the first trams produced in Poland that will carry passengers in Germany. I am all the more grateful to our partners from Jena for the trust they have placed in us. The Tramino fits perfectly into the landscape of Jena, a city known not only for its picturesque location and beautiful buildings but also for its thriving, innovative industry. Tramino and Jena are a perfectly matched pair – added Martin Gruber, Board Member of Solaris Bus & Coach for Sales, After Sales, Marketing, and Quality Assurance.
The Tramino Jena consists of three sections, is fully low-floor, bidirectional, 29.3 meters long, and 2.3 meters wide, adapted for travel on 1-meter gauge tracks. In terms of construction, these are the first GTx-type trams produced by Solaris.
Each of the Solaris rail vehicles is equipped with ventilation and air conditioning for the entire passenger compartment and the driver’s cab. The tram can carry 168 people at once, 61 of whom are seated. Each of the three sections of the vehicle rests on a bogie located in the middle. As a result, the weight of the tram is distributed evenly, it is more stable, and the forces transmitted through the joints are significantly lower. The Tramino Jena is equipped with four pairs of double doors, each 1,300 mm wide. One of them is located just behind the driver’s cab, where there is space for wheelchairs.
This is not the only Solaris contract for the supply of low-floor Tramino vehicles to the German market. A second one was signed by the Polish manufacturer with Braunschweiger Verkehrs-AG (BSVAG). In 2014/2015, 18 four-section trams, 35.7 meters long, will hit the streets of Braunschweig. The carrier originally ordered 15 vehicles but has already exercised the option that allowed for the purchase of an additional 3.