Knorr-Bremse and its subsidiary Merak, the global brand for integrated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions for rail vehicles, are supplying large sections of the metro fleet in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona with innovative solutions for delivering clean, safe air to passenger compartments. Yet another major operator is putting its trust in Knorr-Bremse innovations to ensure maximum comfort for its passengers. With the upgrade of ventilation and plug-andplay filter technology already completed, Knorr-Bremse and TMB are contributing to the enhanced safety, health and wellbeing of rail passengers this winter.

“We are delighted that with TMB, another major rail operator has opted for our reliable and durable clean[air] climate control technologies,” comments Dr. Peter Radina, Member of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems and responsible for the global airconditioning systems business. “TMB is thus taking a major step towards further improving air quality, safety and health for passengers.”

“Especially once passenger numbers start to rise again, air-conditioning systems in trains equipped with our air distribution, filtration and purification solutions will help restore confidence in the rail system,” adds Fernando Hazeu, Managing Director of Merak in Getafe, Spain. “We are pleased to be partners with a growing number of rail operators worldwide through our innovative technologies.”

Also included in the project scope is a two-year contract to supply additional long-life air filters (Merak Long Life Filter, MLLF) for the TMB metro fleet. Similarly, Merak will test prototypes of a digital feature for automatic air quality detection (Air Quality Index) in the trains, which will make it possible not only to monitor the real-time behavior of the climate control systems in operation, but also to react to specific situations by, for example, regulating the supply of fresh air to individual compartments. The extensive retrofit covers TMB’s 5000, 6000 and 9000 vehicle series and is being carried out by Knorr-Bremse’s RailServices unit in Spain. The total order value for the solutions already installed and the future supply contract is in the low single-digit million-euro range.