Solaris Tramino in Passenger Service for First Time

Having successfully completed its extensive test programme, the Solaris Tramino now is in passenger service. Its first trips as the Poznań "Christmas Tram" raise money for a charitable cause. Passengers are treated to a first

taste of the comfort that will be offered by the Traminos ordered by Poznań City Transport, which will be delivered from spring 2011.

It is a special Christmas present for the people of Poznań: 31.96 metres long and 100% low floor. Just before the holidays, the new Solaris Tramino low-floor tram welcomes passengers for the first time. After successful completion of a demanding, year-long test programme, Poznań tram users can now see for themselves the advantages of the Tramino.

First Trips for Charitable Cause

Its first trips as a seasonally decorated "Christmas Tram" are for a charitable cause. Santa Claus is on board to raise money for children suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare and incurable hereditary disease.

The Tramino’s "Christmas Tram" trips and further use in regular passenger service will give Poznań passengers a preview of the 40 Solaris Tramino that will be delivered to Poznań City Transport from spring 2011.

The Tramino was first presented in autumn 2009. It is a designed as a modular platform of state-of-the-art low-floor trams. The prototype that now sees its first use in passenger service is a five-section, articulated vehicle with a step-free low floor throughout the entire passenger saloon. Conventional wheel-set bogies guarantee best ride quality at all times.

Individually Tailored to Customer Requirements

Experience from the prototype test programme will fully benefit series production. At the same time, the Solaris Tramino will be tailored exactly to customer requirements. Like the prototype, the vehicles ordered by Poznań City Transport will have five body sections and a total length of 31.96 m, but they will differ in a number of other details.

While the prototype is 2.35 m wide and has a narrower lower body profile to allow operation on any Polish tram system, the Poznań vehicles will be 2.4 m wide with straight side walls. Aisle width over the bodies will be increased to 750 mm, while the opening width of double doors will also be bigger at 1500 mm. Meanwhile, the unladen weight will be reduced to 39.5 t, which will bring capacity up to a total of 229 passengers.