VMS procures 19 all-electric tram trains for Chemnitz with Heuking

With a team led by Ulf Christiani, Heuking legally advised transport association Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen GmbH on procuring and financing 19 Citylink vehicles for the Chemnitz model. The contracts for the tram trains and their financing were signed at the end of March.

The Stadler bidding consortium was awarded the contract for supply and maintenance of the dual-system trams (with an option for more units in the future). The first trams will be delivered in the summer of 2025, with regular passenger service scheduled to start in June 2026. VMS awarded a total package worth EUR 234.56 million. In addition to the trains and maintenance, this also includes the new depot on Sachsen-Allee. VMS GmbH’s project is financed by investment loans, subsidies of the Free State of Saxony, and own funds of special purpose association Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (ZVMS).

In contrast to the first generation Citylinks, the new Stadler trams are fully electric and will run on the 600/750 V DC electrification network within the city and on 15,000 V AC in the surrounding area. The second generation Citylinks will operate on the Chemnitz rail line to Mittweida as well as on the lines to Glauchau via Stollberg and Oelsnitz, to Burgstädt, and to Hainichen, which still have to be continuously electrified. They will also be used to Limbach-Oberfrohna (expansion stage CM 4). The first generation Citylinks will then run on the non-electrified lines.

Counsel to VMS:
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Ulf Christiani (Lead, Public Sector & Public Procurement)
Susanne Christine Monsig (Public Sector & Public Procurement), both Cologne
Tobias Leege (Finance), Chemnitz
Beatrice Stange (State Aid), Düsseldorf