Defective air conditioning systems: ODEG pulls new trains from the traffic

Defective air conditioning systems: ODEG pulls new trains from the traffic

Defective air conditioning systems: ODEG draws new trains from traffic

Due to repeated disorders on new regional trains, ODEG chooses a drastic step. The line stops an entire train fleet.

Due to defective air conditioning systems, ODEG has taken a new train fleet out of the company. The East German railway company reacted to permanent technology problems of the new wagons. As a result, considerable disabilities in Berlin and Brandenburg will be expected from Thursday. "We pulled the ripcord," said Odeg Managing Director Lars Gehrke of dpa.

The company announced on Wednesday evening: "Due to repeated considerable quality deficiencies since the beginning of the deployment time, these vehicles are no longer portable for our passengers and driving staff." On request, an ODEG spokeswoman said that the air conditioning systems only worked irregularly. The affected eight new trains from the manufacturer Alstom have only been used for eight weeks, it said.

These routes are affected by the decision:
- RB33 (Potsdam Central Station - Beelitz Stadt - Jüterbog)
-RB37 (Berlin-Wannsee-Beelitz Stadt)
- RB51 (Brandenburg Hauptbahnhof - Rathenow).

On Thursday, no train rolls on these lines, according to Odeg. There are buses as a replacement, managing director Gehrke announced. From Friday, old trains that were already in use on these lines are to be reactivated for the affected routes.

List of defects of the ODEG: wet seats, condensation, faulty air conditioning
In addition to disturbed air conditioning systems in the new railways, ODEG also had to block seating areas because the seats were wet, said Gehrke. Cooling water had entered the passenger compartment, condensation on the roof of the trains had formed. The passengers and staff have been expected a lot in recent weeks. This gave Gehrke the cut.

he called the decision to take the trains from the company a "drastic step". A quick replacement concept is being worked on. The railway company apologized to the passengers.

At first, Gehrke could not assess when the faulty regional trains can drive again. The train manufacturer Alstom should find a "permanent solution" and systematically process the problem, he said. So far, the vehicles have been repaired at night and the error has been remedied. But then he reappeared two days later.