Berlin launches first new large-profile U-Bahn fleet in more than 30 years

GERMANY: Berlin has begun rolling out Stadler-built trains as its first new large-profile U-Bahn fleet in more than 30 years, giving operator BVG a long-awaited stability boost on the city’s higher-capacity metro routes.

Described by the Berlin transport operator as a ‘milestone for the stability of U-Bahn operations’, the first Stadler-built trains entered regular service on the U5 line on May 18, following a final passenger test phase and ahead of the original schedule. BVG says up to six full-length trains are now in daily service in the German capital, with the fleet due to grow to around 170 cars by the end of 2026, and another similar batch already ordered for delivery next year.

Their arrival starts the replacement of IK-series trains that were originally built for Berlin’s smaller-profile network but have been used for several years on the wider, higher-capacity lines. Once converted, those nine-year-old vehicles can return to the routes they were designed for, while the new Stadler fleet brings more interior space, wider door areas, improved accessibility and redesigned passenger information to the large-profile network.

The new J-series fleet is intended for Berlin’s large-profile U-Bahn lines U5, U6, U7, U8 and U9, covering some of the capital’s main cross-city routes, including services through Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Zoologischer Garten and other major interchange points. It is being delivered as part of BVG’s largest-ever rolling stock procurement, with current J and JK-series orders covering 484 vehicles in total, including 140 narrower JK-series vehicles for the small-profile U1 to U4 lines.

‘Today is a good day’

‘Today is a good day for all metro passengers in Berlin and a milestone for the stability of operations, both now and in the future,’ said BVG CEO Henrik Falk. ‘For us, it’s even a historic day. The last inaugural run with new trains for lines U5 to U9 was over 30 years ago. Today, we are setting the course for the next successful decades for the Berlin metro.’

Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, said: ‘With the start of regular passenger service with the new J-trains on the U5 line, we are taking an important step towards greater stability, comfort and reliability in Berlin’s metro system. Passengers will thus benefit from modern technology and a noticeably improved service sooner than originally planned.’

BVG is presenting the rollout as part of a wider push to improve reliability across the U-Bahn. It said the related JK fleet had already significantly improved reliability on line U2 since September 2025, while overall U-Bahn reliability reached 98.6% in the first quarter of 2026. The new J trains are expected to contribute to a further improvement in everyday service.

‘With the start of passenger service for the J-series trains, BVG and Stadler’s new vehicle generation has now reached the large-profile network it was developed for,’ said Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Germany. ‘After decades, the large-profile network is being renewed with modern vehicles for Berlin’s passengers. Seeing trains developed and manufactured in Berlin now carrying passengers on these routes is a special moment for all the project teams, and an important step in the long-term modernisation of the Berlin U-Bahn.’

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