Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment: "Instead of driving diesel vehicles on routes without overhead lines as before, the states of Berlin and Brandenburg, together with VBB, have commissioned transport companies to develop innovative drive concepts to make public transport even more environmentally friendly. I am pleased that passengers on the Heidekrautbahn and East Brandenburg networks will have modern vehicles with high-quality equipment at their disposal in the future. With the planned service expansion, we are offering people in the capital region more train connections and are thus taking the transport transition a step further."

"We are facing an exciting and at the same time challenging time with the introduction of two new types of drive," says Detlef Bröcker, Managing Director of NEB Betriebsgesellschaft, on the introduction of the new vehicles. "At the same time, we are pleased to be able to strengthen local public transport and the region both by using environmentally friendly vehicles and to make our contribution in terms of service and comfort, thus further driving forward the transport transition."

"Together with NEB, we are delighted to present our climate-friendly and sustainable trains with hydrogen and battery drives for the Berlin Brandenburg region," says Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility . "The Mireo Plus B and Mireo Plus H trains combine innovation and sustainability where electrification of the route is not possible or not economical. This will enable us to make a significant contribution to combating climate change."

Martin Fuchs, Managing Director of the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB): "Our goal is to have 100% emission-free local public transport throughout the entire association area by 2037. With the start of operations in the East Brandenburg network and on the Heidekrautbahn at the end of this year and with the use of battery-electric and hydrogen trains, we are getting a lot closer to this step. While we will still have 26 percent of diesel-powered trains in the VBB in 2024, this will be reduced to 15 percent by 2025. I am optimistic that we will achieve our goal despite the challenges in procuring new vehicles."

Starting with the timetable change in December 2024, both fleets will gradually completely replace the old diesel vehicles on almost all lines in the Heidekrautbahn and East Brandenburg networks. This will mark a significant milestone in sustainable mobility. The share of electric drives in regional transport in Brandenburg and Berlin will thus rise to 85 percent.

Mireo Plus H and Mireo Plus B: Technological change in Brandenburg's local rail passenger transport

The Mireo Plus H and the Mireo Plus B are state-of-the-art trains with fuel cell drive or battery-electric drive and are characterized by a traction system with high drive power of 1.7 MW for acceleration of up to 1.1 m/s² and a permitted top speed of 140 km/h. The Mireo Plus H and Plus B trains are designed to be energy-saving and environmentally friendly. The self-supporting, welded lightweight structure in integral aluminum construction as well as the improved aerodynamics, energy efficiency of the components and the intelligent on-board network management contribute to reducing resources and emissions.

The Mireo Plus H hydrogen train can travel up to 1,000 kilometers on one tank of fuel and the battery trains can travel up to 120 kilometers on battery power.

In 2021 and 2022, the NEB ordered a total of 38 Mireo trains with alternative and environmentally friendly drives from Siemens Mobility. This will be the first time that battery- or hydrogen-powered rail vehicles will be used in VBB's scheduled services in Brandenburg and Berlin. By switching from diesel to hydrogen and batteries, annual CO2 emissions will be reduced by around 14.5 million kilograms and around 5.5 million liters of diesel will be saved.

In addition to the gradual introduction of the modern vehicles from December 2024, passengers can look forward to further amenities: all vehicles will be equipped with WiFi and also offer access to an infotainment portal. For many lines, the use of the new vehicles also means a noticeable increase in seating capacity. In addition, a new wayfinding system in the vehicle will make boarding and alighting easier and thus speed up passenger changes.

When the timetable changes on December 15, it is not just the new vehicles that will be put into daily service. In addition, more frequent services or more trips in the morning or evening are planned on many routes.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to see the Mireo Plus H hydrogen train on the city railway this week; it is making presentation trips without regular passenger service as part of the InnoTrans transport technology trade fair.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris Visits Wrightbus & Supports Hydrogen