Sound Transit has contracted Siemens to supply 30 additional S70 type light rail vehicles (LRVs), which will operate throughout the Seattle and central Puget Sound area of Washington State.

The new order represents the exercising of an option included in the original contract, which was signed by the two companies last year.

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The initial contract confirmed the delivery of 122 LRVs, and this number is now set to increase to 152 via the latest order.

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff said: “Ordering more Link cars earlier than planned is just one example of how we're moving forward aggressively to build a light rail network that will serve up to 188 million riders a year by 2040.

“These additional vehicles will ensure that we will be ready in 2024 to launch service on the first two light rail extensions just adopted by Puget Sound voters in November.”

The trains will be constructed at the Siemens plant in Sacramento, California, where the first batch of the fleet is currently under production. The first LRV is expected to be delivered in early 2019.

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"These additional vehicles will ensure that we will be ready in 2024 to launch service on the first two light rail extensions."

Siemens Urban Transport business unit CEO Sandra Gott-Karlbauer said: “Light rail systems play an essential role in helping cities to reduce congestion, spur economic development and manage population growth.

“We provide tailor-made transportation solutions for cities around the world which meet their needs.”

The new trains will enable Sound Transit to expand its fleet and serve the extension projects to Federal Way and downtown Redmond.

The latest LRVs will be equipped with extra space for luggage and hooks to store up to four bicycles per vehicle. They will also be integrated with an LED lighting system.

Image: Siemens S70 type light rail vehicle. Photo: © Siemens AG.

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