Stadtwerke Augsburg has awarded Switzerland-based Stadler (www.stadlerrail.com) the contract to supply 11 Tramlink trams and maintain them for 16 years; this is Stadler’s first maintenance contract in the light rail segment in Germany.

The order is worth 57 million euros, and it contains an option for the delivery of another 16 trams.

The seven-part unidirectional vehicles will enter into service on Bavaria’s second largest tram system from 2022 onwards.

The low-floor vehicles are 42m long and can accommodate 231 people.

They will play a major role in the expansion of Line 3, and they will provide a significant improvement in passenger comfort.

Walter Casazza, Stadtwerke Augsburg’s managing director, said: “We are sure that the Tramlink is the ideal vehicle for our needs.

"With Stadler, we have gained an experienced and proven partner.

"In the Europe-wide invitation to tender, Stadler submitted the offer that best met our performance criteria for technology, equipment and cost-effectiveness.”