Siemens Mobility has official rolled out its new Mireo Smart train, which aims to provide a greater level of efficiency for rail operators.
At an event at the company's Krefeld plant, Siemens Mobility's latest creation took to the tracks, in the latest expansion for a train manufacturer that is aiming to capture a slice of the environmentally friendly rail market.
Several trains from Siemens Mobility – and from the Mireo range in particular – have already been making headlines. In September, the Mireo Plus H, a hydrogen-powered train, completed a test run with Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) in Germany.
Mireo Smart is an electric version of the Mireo train which is being sold primarily as an efficient vehicle – both easy to order for rail operators looking to expand their fleet, and easy to maintain to ensure a greater longevity once the trains have been delivered.
For this reason, Siemens is promoting the Mireo Smart as a “standardised” train with a simple ordering process both for the initial trains and for spare parts that are required for maintenance.
Where some other Mireo offerings come with additional features (not to mention the ongoing hydrogen-powered tests), the Smart is being introduced to the market as an alternative to refurbishing older train stock, with a relatively budget-friendly price aimed to make the train more attractive to prospective buyers.
The new trains, which are being manufactured at the plant in Krefeld, have a seating capacity of 214, with two wheelchair-friendly spaces, and additional storage capacity for 21 bicycles.
Despite lacking some of the features from more advanced Mireo trains, the Smart comes with a state-of-the-art security system, air conditioning, internet wi-fi systems, and large TFT display screens.
Mireo trains are already proving popular in several countries – in August, Digital Rain Germany ordered twenty-eight Mireo trains in a purchase worth around €300 million.
Speaking of the new Mireo Smart trains, Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility said:
“The Mireo Smart is a response to the challenges of a constantly changing transportation landscape and the growing popularity of mobility by rail. We offer rail operators a preconfigured train that can be delivered within very short time and that guarantees high reliability and availability.
“What's new is that we are now also offering the Mireo Smart with alternative drive systems. By providing this environmentally friendly option, we are giving our customers even greater flexibility in adapting to the different requirements of their rail networks.”
