en.Wedoany.com Reported - Berlin U-Bahn's Stadler trains have entered regular passenger service on the U5 line, marking a new phase in BVG's fleet renewal program. This deployment initiates the modernization of lines U5 to U9, with the new trains entering daily operation earlier than originally planned.

According to official BVG project updates, the new trains are designed to enhance comfort, increase operational stability, and provide passengers with clearer travel information. Following the final testing phase, up to 36 Stadler cars are now running daily on Berlin's U5 line, equivalent to six full-length trains. By the end of this year, the J series fleet is expected to reach approximately 170 cars, with BVG having placed an additional order for another 170 cars scheduled for delivery next year.

For Germany's largest public transport operator BVG, the entry into service of the J series is a core component of its fleet renewal strategy. The operator combines the new trains with efforts to modernize the metro fleet and stabilize network services. BVG CEO Henrik Falk stated: "Today is a good day for all Berlin U-Bahn passengers and an important milestone for the stability of metro operations now and in the future. The last time new trains were first deployed on lines U5 to U9 was over 30 years ago, and today we are laying the foundation for the Berlin U-Bahn's success in the coming decades."

The new J series trains are specifically designed for Berlin U-Bahn's large-profile sections, including lines U5 to U9. BVG is introducing them first on the U5 line, where they will gradually replace the IK series trains that have been operating on this line in recent years. BVG states that the new trains offer more spacious passenger areas and door zones, providing more room for various user groups such as wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and passengers with luggage. The interior features a new lighting concept and a redesigned passenger information system that can guide passengers to exits and elevators before they leave the train, aiding orientation within metro stations. Accessibility has also been improved, and drivers benefit from new controls and a more comfortable workplace.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner described the new trains as a symbol of "modern and efficient local transport" in the German capital. He stated that passengers benefit from greater comfort, better information, and higher operational reliability, and that BVG is strengthening its service through fleet renewal, investing in an attractive and reliable mobility option for Berliners.

Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and Chairwoman of the BVG Supervisory Board, Franziska Giffey, linked the new trains to BVG's stability strategy. She mentioned that Berlin U-Bahn reliability reached 98.6% in the first quarter of 2026, and the new trains will contribute to significantly improving the daily lives of Berliners, bringing greater comfort, modern passenger information, and better accessibility. With the J series vehicles entering service on the U5 line, the IK trains will be replaced. These nine-year-old IK trains will be modified for use on lines U1 to U4, contributing to the further modernization of the small-profile network fleet.

Stadler Germany CEO Jure Mikolčić stated that the start of passenger service for the J series completes the new generation of vehicles for the standard-gauge network, with these trains developed and manufactured in Berlin. He said: "After decades, the standard-gauge network is being renewed with modern vehicles for all Berliners. Vehicles developed and manufactured in Berlin are now running on the wide-body passenger network, which is a special moment for all project teams and an important step in the long-term modernization of the Berlin U-Bahn." The J series and its narrower JK sister series are part of the largest procurement contract in BVG's history, with orders currently placed covering 484 cars, including 140 JK cars for lines U1 to U4, which are almost all already in service and have significantly improved reliability on the U2 line since September 2025.

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