Soder revels in Munich's inauguration of the extra-large S-Bahn train

The city of Munich is set to welcome a new era in public transportation with the introduction of the new S-Bahn project. The initiative, which prioritizes genuine barrier-free access and durability, is a joint venture between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Siemens Mobility.

Bayern's Minister of Transport, Christian Bernreiter (CSU), has confirmed that the Free State of Bavaria is investing more than two billion euros in this project. DB has ordered a total of 90 XXL S-Bahn trains from Siemens, with some construction taking place in Allach, Bavaria.

Honorary guest Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister-President, has called the new S-Bahn project "a pretty cool thing". The new trains will be equipped with WLAN, offering passengers a more connected journey.

The new S-Bahn trains will be 22 meters long, significantly longer than current trains, and consist of 13 cars. Each car will have a width of around three meters, and the total weight of the train will be 365 tons. The trains will have a white and blue exterior design, a departure from the traditional red and white.

Passengers can look forward to 10 centimeters more legroom, and both ends of the new trains will have wheelchair areas with lowered displays for passenger information. Entry and exit will be via 31 doors, 1.40 meters wide, 20 centimeters wider than before. The new S-Bahn trains will have a continuous LED strip above the doors, lighting up in the respective line colour for easy identification.

The new S-Bahn model will offer more capacity and more comfort, with 480 seats and a maximum capacity of 1,841 people. The air conditioning system in the new S-Bahn trains will regulate the temperature between -25 and 45 degrees, ensuring a comfortable journey no matter the weather.

The first XXL S-Bahn trains are scheduled to enter passenger service at the end of 2028. The finished trains will be displayed at Munich's Königsplatz during the International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) from Tuesday until 14 September, with hours from 11 am to 9 pm (Sundays 10 am to 5 pm), giving the public a chance to view the new trains free of charge.

This project, which received reporting from AZ, is set to revolutionize public transportation in Munich, offering a more comfortable, accessible, and efficient travel experience for all.