Siemens has secured an order for 45 new S70 light rail vehicles (LRVs) from the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).
These new vehicles will enable service improvements on existing rail lines, as well as offer the necessary LRVs in order to operate the 11-mile extension of the UC San Diego Blue Line, which is currently construction.
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Since 1981, Siemens has been providing LRVs to MTS and the latest order will take the total number of vehicles supplied to MTS to 244, making MTS the largest US light rail customer for Siemens.
Recently, MTS sold or retired 71 Siemens U-2 vehicles, which were the original vehicles on the country first modern light rail system.
The initial 15-mile segment from the International Border to downtown San Diego has now grown to more than 53 miles of double-tracked railway that serves San Diego's urbanised area.
The new contract of low-floor LRVs will come with a redesigned middle section of the vehicle to enhance passenger flow, including offering greater wheelchair accessibility and bicycle storage.
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By GlobalDataMTS intends to use 36 of the 45 new LRVs on its Mid-Coast Trolley expansion, which is a new service to help manage current and future travel demand to and from the University City community.
The remaining nine vehicles will be used to bolster frequency on the UC San Diego Blue and Orange lines.
The first vehicles are expected to arrive in late-2018.
MTS CEO Paul Jablonski said: “Our relationship with Siemens is a true partnership. We work together at every step to design the best-possible vehicle for our system and, more importantly, our riders.”
Siemens Rolling Stock president Michael Cahill said: “Siemens is proud to continue our 35-year relationship with MTS by being chosen to build these advanced technology light rail vehicles for the city of San Diego.
“These California-built vehicles will help continue MTS’ legacy of outstanding service to its riders and help accommodate riders on their growing rail system.”
S70s will be developed at the Siemens rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, California.
The facility, which has been in operation for almost three decades, is powered in part by 2MW of solar energy. It presently employs almost 1,000 people.
Currently, Siemens is a leading supplier of light rail vehicles in North America.
