Darmstadt: New Tina-Strassenbahnen are now becoming much quieter!

Darmstadt: New Tina-Strassenbahnen are now becoming much quieter!

On April 10, 2025, the HEG Mobilo announced that in cooperation with the manufacturer Stadler, the door noises of the new Tina-Strassenbahnen, also known as ST15 series, should become quieter in the future. This decision follows numerous complaints about the volume of the noises, which were expressed from Darmstadt and from the adjacent district of Darmstadt-Dieburg. Lutz Köhler, the first district deputy, emphasizes that this measure will be a noticeable relief for residents in quieter district municipalities.

Paul Georg Wandrey, the head of traffic from Darmstadt, confirmed that the noises were perceived as annoying and emphasized that a solution could now be found. Johannes Gregor, Managing Director of HEAG Mobilo, made it clear that despite the reduction of the volume, the quieter tones for people with visual impairments remain important.

adjustments to the door noises

The planned adjustments to the door tones provide for significant changes. The volume and frequency with which the doors of the tram create noises are reduced when opening and closing. Instead of the disturbing door display tone used so far, only a quiet "cuckoo" will sound when the doors are closed. Warning tones will only be audible when the doors close. These adjustments should be completed by Easter 2025 and are the result of a voting process between HEAG Mobilo, the technical supervisory authority and representatives of the disabled, which has already been successfully completed.

In order to offer the residents a quick solution to the affected routes, HEAG Mobilo also intensifies dialogue with the residents. The process to improve the acoustic situation is part of comprehensive measures. In January 2025, measurements were carried out at representative areas of the line network, the data of which has already been evaluated. The next step provides the clarification of open technical questions before the results are presented in a public presentation of the report.

technical improvements in the ST15

The new ST15 series not only offers improved noise reduction, but also an increased transport capacity of up to 279 people. These trams are over 10% more efficient than their predecessors, the ST14. The interior design with bright, spacious panoramic windows and a barrier -free passage width offers both comfort and accessibility. Particular attention was also paid to CO2 neutrality: with air-conditioned vehicles that save 14 tons of CO2 per vehicle annually, HEAG Mobilo relies on sustainable mobility.

The innovative trams are equipped with the latest sensors and driving assistance systems. The name Tina stands for "totally integrated low-floor drive", which characterizes the modern technology of the ST15. The new vehicles replace the oldest trams, the ST12, which are retired after more than 30 years. These steps are part of the mobility transition in Darmstadt and serve to stabilize tram operation.

For further information on the noise reduction and the current situation in Darmstadt, the detailed reports can be used, for example on the last publication of the Environmental Bundesamt .