Belgian transport operator De Lijn has exercised a €97m option to buy 40 additional Flexity 2 low-floor LRVs from Bombardier.
The vehicles will be use on the metre-gauge tram networks in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent.
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The initial order was signed by De Lijn in 2012 and the exercised option increases transporter’s fleet of Bombardier Flexity 2 trams to 88 from 48.
The new 43m-long trams, which will replace an ageing fleet, will be capable of carrying about 40% more passengers than their predecessors.
The low-floor vehicles are equipped with multi-purpose areas for those with reduced mobility, and storage space for bicycles and prams.
De Lijn general director Roger Kesteloot said: "We are happy to be able to provide these two Flemish cities with a much-needed capacity increase with this order.
"The initial reaction to ‘Albatros’, the name that our passengers chose for the Flexity 2 trams, in Ghent has been very positive. We are looking forward with anticipation to the deliveries of the 40 additional trams."
Under the exercised option, Ghent will receive 16 more 43m-long bidirectional vehicles, which will each accommodate up to 378 passengers.
Antwerp will get 24 monodirectional trams, including 14 43m-long units capable of accommodating 380 passengers, and ten 31m-long LRVs with capacities for up to 266 passengers.
All of the 2.3m-wide trams are equipped with Mitrac propulsion system and have heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for drivers and passengers.
Under a previous contract, Bombardier is responsible for structural revisions, refurbishment and crash repairs on De Lijn’s existing fleet.
The train manufacturer is also a partner in the De Lijn’s electric bus EVTecLab field trial project, where three electric buses are equipped with Bombardier Primove technology for inductive charging in the city of Bruges.
Image: The new Bombardier trams will operate in Antwerp and Ghent. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.
