Stadler Tests Rubber-Suspension Wheels TINA Trams Basel July 2026

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – Manufacturer Stadler and operator BLT Baselland Transport AG will commence operational testing of new rubber-suspension wheels on their TINA tram fleet in early July 2026. The initiative targets the reduction of ground-borne vibrations, building on earlier modifications that successfully lowered primary vehicle noise by 3.7 decibels. Stadler will bear the full cost of the development and any subsequent fleet-wide retrofitting.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The technical intervention is a two-phase programme designed to mitigate noise and vibration emissions from the TINA (Total Integrated Low-Floor Drive) tram platform on Basel’s historically developed network. The first phase, which is scheduled for completion across the entire BLT fleet by the end of 2025, has already achieved a 3.7 dB reduction in primary noise. This was accomplished through the installation of additional damping elements, wheel profile optimizations, and adjustments to the electromagnetic track brakes and vehicle bodywork. The upcoming second phase focuses exclusively on vibration, using a new wheel design with an integrated rubber suspension system intended to provide stronger damping at the wheel-rail contact point. The specific material composition and design of the rubber elements have not been disclosed.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

The use of resilient wheels to dampen noise and vibration is an established technology in urban rail, not a new invention. Stadler’s initiative applies this concept as a targeted retrofit to address issues specific to the TINA platform’s interaction with legacy infrastructure. The technology is comparable to the widely adopted “Bochum wheel” (BVV), which uses rubber elements between the wheel hub and steel tyre to absorb vibration and has been a standard offering for decades on trams and light rail vehicles globally. Competitors also address these issues through integrated design. For example, Alstom’s Citadis trams and Siemens’ Avenio platform incorporate advanced bogie designs and suspension systems from the outset to manage noise and vibration, making it a key performance criterion for modern low-floor vehicles. Stadler’s post-delivery, manufacturer-funded modification programme for BLT is less a technological breakthrough and more a reflection of the challenges in deploying standardized vehicle platforms on non-standardized, historic networks.

Editor’s Analysis

Stadler’s decision to fund and publicly address the TINA trams’ performance issues in Basel is a strategic move to protect the platform’s brand reputation, especially following recent orders from Görlitz and Zwickau. This proactive retrofitting demonstrates a long-term commitment to product performance beyond the initial sale, a critical factor for operators of complex and long-life assets like rolling stock. The focus on noise and vibration reflects a broader industry trend where passenger comfort and environmental impact are becoming as important as operational efficiency, a sentiment echoed by the significant growth in rail travel in neighbouring Germany (Source: Tourism Review). This case underscores the inherent difficulty of balancing modern, fully low-floor tram designs with the geometric and structural constraints of older, city-centre track infrastructure.

FAQ

Q: How much noise was reduced on the TINA trams before this new test?
A: The initial phase of technical modifications reduced primary noise by 3.7 decibels. According to the operator and manufacturer, this corresponds to a halving of the perceived noise level, bringing the TINA fleet to the same level as the older Tango trams.

Q: When will the new vibration-damping wheels be installed on all of BLT’s trams?
A: Testing on a single vehicle is set to begin in early July 2026. A timeline for retrofitting the entire fleet has not been disclosed and is contingent on the success of these tests.

Q: Are other cities that use TINA trams experiencing similar issues?
A: The source material does not specify if other TINA operators in cities like Darmstadt, Rostock, or Halle have reported similar noise and vibration challenges. The announced programme is specific to the BLT network in Basel.