Tesla’s Giga Berlin facility has introduced a dedicated employee shuttle train, marking a significant step in its efforts to streamline transportation for its workforce while also contributing to local traffic alleviation. The train commenced operations on Monday, connecting the town of Erkner to the Tesla plant, and it is expected to run approximately 60 times a day from Monday to Friday.
This innovative initiative was celebrated with a grand event at the newly established train depot on the Tesla site in Grünheide (Oder-Spree). The train service is not only designed to efficiently transport over 1,500 Tesla employees to and from the factory but is also open for free use by the general public.
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The train service is currently being operated by Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn GmbH (NEB) under a contract that extends until the end of the year. Negotiations between NEB and Tesla resulted in this partnership, although the parties involved have expressed a need to explore resource allocation for the upcoming year.
Giga Berlin now has its own train shuttle, capable of moving 400 people per ride 🚆 pic.twitter.com/gmvy80GFFn
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) September 4, 2023
The introduction of the Tesla train service aims to replace the existing bus route connecting Erkner and the Tesla plant. Additionally, it is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in the village of Fangschleise and the surrounding town of Erkner. This forward-thinking initiative received approval from the Department of Construction and Transport of the State of Brandenburg in February.
See also: Tesla Applies for Expansion of Giga Berlin to Produce 1 Million Vehicles Per Year
One key factor that influenced the choice of the Giga Berlin location was the presence of a railway line within the factory’s vicinity, linking the Freienbrink industrial area with the broader rail network. Tesla’s utilization of this existing infrastructure reflects a strategic approach to transportation solutions.
