EU bank funds Rheinbahn tram modernisation

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a €150 million loan to co-finance a major modernisation of Düsseldorf’s Rheinbahn light rail network.

Düsseldorf’s public transport provider Rheinbahn is about to embark on a four-year upgrade programme. The loan will fund the procurement of around 40 new high-floor trams and the refurbishment of 100 existing B80 and NF6 series trams, as well as the roll out of a new Intermodal Transport Control System (ITCS) and construction of Rheinbahn’s new Central Traffic Control System site.

Rheinbahn board spokesman Dirk Biesenach said: “The long-term finance guaranteed by the loan contract will be used both to purchase the necessary rolling stock and extend the local transport network for the benefit of our passengers.

“It is the biggest loan ever agreed by Rheinbahn. It will cover most of the capital that will be required over the next four years, especially for the investment that will be needed to renew local rail transport.”

EIB vice-president Wilhelm Molterer added: “Given the size of this area, local public transport is of crucial importance, especially in the metropolitan area of the regional capital of North Rhine-Westphalia.

“The EIB loan will enable Rheinbahn to cope better with the ever-increasing demand for a means of transport that will have minimal impact on the climate and at the same time facilitate travel for those living in the area.”

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