Sound Transit has received the first of 152 previously ordered light-rail vehicles (LRVs) at its Link Operations and Maintenance Facility in Seattle.

The Siemens-manufactured vehicles will more than triple Sound Transit’s current fleet of 62 LRVs, assisting it to fulfil the requirements of an expanding rail network.

In September 2016, the agency placed an order of 122 LRVs with Siemens, followed by another contract of an additional 30 vehicles in April 2017. The contract is valued at $642.5m in total.

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff said: “The new vehicles are critical to meet ridership demand as we move forward aggressively in building our light-rail network.

“These new cars will become the backbone of the fleet serving Northgate, Lynnwood, Federal Way, Bellevue and Redmond in the next five years.”

The LRVs will feature several improvements over the current operating fleet. Each of the vehicles will have 74 seats, larger windows, a wider centre-car aisle and additional bike racks.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Every rail car will be equipped with LED lights and passenger information display systems for passenger convenience.

Siemens is manufacturing the LRVs at its facility in Sacramento, California.  From now on, it is expected to deliver between one and three vehicles per month to 2024.

Once delivered, the LRVs will undergo extensive testing before entering commercial service.

The first cars are slated to begin passenger services early next year. Sound Transit plans to assign 40 of the new vehicles for the Northgate Link Extension, which is scheduled to open in 2021.