The new battery-powered train ran on the Leipzig-Chemnitz route for the first time. The RE 6 Coradia Continental from Alstom with 300 seats departed as scheduled at 5.31 a.m. from Chemnitz main station. According to Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS), this is the first battery-powered train in regular timetable operation. In the coming months, the existing double-decker trains will be completely replaced by new battery-powered trains, as the VMS announced in advance.
Due to the lack of overhead lines, trains with diesel locomotives have been running on the route between the two major Saxon cities until now. However, there have been repeated problems and complaints for many years. To remedy this, the VMS ordered eleven battery-powered trains from Alstom in 2020. They were due to start operating from December 2023, but delivery was postponed several times.
