DB Regio ordered Coradia Max EMUs for OSTA network

On 18 January 2024, Alstom announced that it will supply 18 Coradia Max EMUs to DB Regio (Coradia Max replaces the former product name Coradia Stream HC, High Capacity).

The order comprises 9 three-car and 9 five-car trains, which will initially start operating on the highly popular regional express line RE1 between Hamburg and Rostock, in the Baltic Sea-Alster sub-network (OSTA, Teilnetz Ostsee-Alster) at the timetable change in December 2027. Following the electrification of the line between Bad Kleinen and Lübeck and the construction of a connecting curve, the trains will also run as far as Lübeck. The 160 km/h units will be fitted with ETCS.

Carsten Moll, Chairman of DB Regio Northeast: “Our Hanse-Express between Rostock, Schwerin and Hamburg is one of the region’s most important lifelines for commuters and day trippers. We are delighted to have won the tender and look forward to the new vehicles. The federal states are investing in state-of-the-art trains in which travellers will benefit from additional passenger information and lounge areas, for example. The RE4 Lübeck - Schwerin and RE2 Lübeck - Rostock lines will add more services to the Hanse Express.”

The tender for new trains was invited by DB Regio in November 2022. The Coradia Max EMUs, which will feature the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state design inside and out for the first time, will offer passengers a pleasant journey between the Baltic Sea and the Alster with around 720 seats, with additional frequencies and new routes.

Compared to the trains currently in use in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, the new Coradia Max EMUs will offer passengers up to 50 % more seating capacity between Büchen and Hamburg at peak times. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the new lines from Rostock and Schwerin to Lübeck will benefit from the three-car units with a total of 265 seats. The five-car units with two additional double-deck intermediate cars will have a total of 462 seats. 

Two different access heights allow comfortable and ramp-free access for travellers with reduced mobility at almost all stations on the RE1, RE2 and RE4 lines. In addition, free Wi-Fi provides fast internet and specially treated windows ensure better mobile phone reception while travelling. The trains will be produced at the Salzgitter works.