(kus) As part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the twinning of Frankfurt and Birmingham, Lord Mayor Feldmann, Lord Mayor Carl Rice of Birmingham, Transport Director Oesterling and VFG Managing Director Thomas Wissgott jointly commissioned a new twinning railway on 21 December.
The subway features motifs of Frankfurt and Birmingham, including a photo of the Frankfurt Christmas Market and its "brother" in Birmingham. This is because Birmingham has had its "Frankfurt Christmas Market" for 16 years. Likewise, in addition to the coats of arms of both cities, the joint anniversary logo also adorns the underground.
Lord Mayor Feldmann was pleased that Birmingham, represented by Lord Mayor Carl Rice, was able to attend the inauguration of the railway. Feldmann had presented a first draft of the new twin-city railway to his counterpart during his visit to Birmingham in mid-November and invited him to the inauguration. In his speech, Lord Mayor Carl Rice expressed his thanks, saying, "The Frankfurt-Birmingham Railway is a wonderful gesture to express the close ties between our two great cities: Birmingham and Frankfurt." Frankfurt's Lord Mayor was also pleased with the joint initiative of VGF and the City of Frankfurt on the new tram: "After the Frankfurt-Tel Aviv Tram, this is now the second tram to visually bring a twin city closer to the people of Frankfurt. I would particularly like to thank the VGF and its Managing Director Thomas Wissgott for this excellent initiative."
The tram was then put on the tracks, steered by both city leaders. It will be used on all underground lines in Frankfurt, predominantly on the U4, U6 and U7 lines.
Frankfurt and Birmingham have been twinned since 19. April 1966
