The new metro trains manufactured by Stadler for BVG have officially entered passenger service on Berlin’s U5 line, marking the start of the fleet renewal for subway lines U5–U9. German operator BVG announced that the new vehicles were put into service earlier than planned and will provide greater comfort, better passenger information, and increased operational stability.
Following a final testing phase, during which passengers were already able to ride on board, up to 36 new cars Stadler are now in daily use on the U5 line. This number corresponds to six full-length trains.
By the end of the year, the J series fleet is expected to reach approximately 170 cars. Another 170 cars have already been ordered and will be delivered next year by manufacturer Stadler.
First new trains for the U5–U9 lines in over 30 years
BVG, Germany’s largest public transit operator, considers the introduction of the new trains a central element of its fleet renewal program and its strategy to stabilize subway service.
“Today is a good day for all Berlin subway passengers and an important milestone for the stability of subway operations, now and in the future,” said Henrik Falk, CEO of BVG. “For us, it is truly a historic day. The last inaugural run with new cars for the U5–U9 lines took place over 30 years ago.
Today we are laying the groundwork for the next decades of success for the Berlin subway.”
The new J-series trains are intended for the high-profile network of the Berlin subway, which includes lines U5–U9. In the first phase, they are being introduced on line U5, where they will gradually replace the IK-series trains.
More space and better information for passengers
According to BVG, the new trains offer a more spacious interior, ample door areas, and more room for all types of passengers, including people in wheelchairs, parents with strollers, or travelers with luggage.
The vehicles feature a new lighting concept, and the passenger information system has been redesigned. A new feature is that guidance to exits and elevators begins inside the train, which can make it easier to find your way around subway stations.
Accessibility has also been improved, and BVG drivers benefit from new controls and a more comfortable workstation.
Kai Wegner, Berlin’s mayor, stated that the new trains represent “modern and efficient local transport” for Germany’s capital.
“Passengers benefit from greater comfort, better information, and higher operational reliability. By modernizing its fleet, BVG is strengthening its service offering and investing in attractive and reliable mobility for Berliners,” said Kai Wegner.
98.6% reliability for the Berlin subway
Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economy, Energy, and Public Enterprises and Chair of the BVG Supervisory Board, emphasized that the new trains are part of the operator’s stability strategy.
“With the new subway trains, BVG is investing in efficient and reliable local transport for Berlin and continuing its stability strategy. In the first quarter of 2026, the reliability of the Berlin subway was 98.6%. The new cars will contribute to a noticeable improvement in the daily lives of Berliners: with them, BVG is bringing more comfort, modern passenger information, and even better accessibility to the network,” said Franziska Giffey.
The IK trains will be moved to lines U1–U4
On line U5, the new trains will initially replace the IK series vehicles. These were developed for lines U1–U4 but have been used temporarily on U5 in recent years, with an adapted car width.
After a brief modification, the IK trains, which are only nine years old, will be able to operate on lines U1-U4. BVG states that this move will contribute to further modernizing the fleet on the narrow-gauge network.
Stadler: vehicles developed and manufactured in Berlin
Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler Germany, stated that the entry into service of the J-series cars marks the completion of the new generation of vehicles for the standard-gauge network.
“With the launch of the J-series cars into passenger service, the new generation of vehicles for the standard-gauge network is complete and has reached the goal for which it was jointly developed by BVG and Stadler: after decades, the standard-gauge network is being renewed with modern vehicles for all Berliners. The fact that vehicles developed and manufactured in Berlin are now also running on the wide-gauge passenger network is a special moment for all project teams and an important step toward the long-term modernization of the Berlin subway,” said Jure Mikolčić.
The J series and its narrower sister series, the JK, represent the largest procurement contract in BVG’s history. Orders placed to date include 484 cars, of which 140 are JK series cars for lines U1–U4. Nearly all of these are already in service and, according to BVG, have contributed to a significant improvement in reliability on the U2 line since September 2025.
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