The first Vossloh Citylink NET 2012 light rail vehicles entered passenger service in Karlsruhe on October 18, after the festive rollout on October 17, 2014.
Karlsruhe transport operators VBK and AVG ordered 25 vehicles in October 2011 with options for up to 50 more. They are being supplied through a consortium between Vossloh España and electrical equipment supplier Vossloh Kiepe. The Citylink Net 2012 is a barrier-free Train-Tram that connects the area surrounding Karlsruhe with the inner city of Karlsruhe contributing considerably to high urban mobility.
The three-section unidirectional LRVs are 37.2 m long and 2650 mm wide and 80% low-floor and fulfill the increasing requirements for mobility and passenger comfort.
The BOStrab approval certificate for the vehicle was formally handed over to VBK at InnoTrans on September 25, 2014. EBO approval will follow making it the first low-floor tram-train vehicle to be approved for both BOStrab and EBO.