About this Project

Program Overview:

The program, with a budget of $435 million, aims to replace GCRTA's 40 heavy railcars and 34 light railcars with 54 common railcars that can operate on both heavy and light rail systems. This approach will reduce the number of railcars needed and simplify maintenance. The new railcars will be safer, more reliable, technologically advanced, and will have a lower life-cycle cost. They are expected to serve the community for over 30 years and potentially increase ridership and stimulate transit-oriented development along the 33-mile rail system.

Current Railcars:

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is currently using heavy and light railcars that are 41 and 44 years old, respectively. These railcars are beyond their expected lifespan, leading to increased maintenance time and costs. Finding replacement parts is challenging due to their age, and the technology in these railcars is outdated.

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Commissioning a New Railcar: the journey of a railcar

The commissioning process takes approximately 22 weeks (about five months) for the first few railcars as systems are validated and processes are established. As the process becomes more refined, subsequent railcars will move through commissioning more quickly.

Commissioning includes multiple stages of inspection and testing, such as:

  1. Delivery Inspection – approximately 2 days
  2. Static Testing – approximately 4 weeks
  3. Load Quality / Dynamic Testing – approximately 8 weeks, including testing of:
    • Propulsion system
    • Dynamic braking
    • Wheel slip/slide protection
    • Couplers
    • Load leveling systems
    • Ride quality
    • Automatic Train Control (ATC) system
  4. 1,000 fault-free miles completed prior to final acceptance

These are examples of testing categories and are not an exhaustive list. Only after all required testing milestones are successfully completed can a railcar be certified for passenger service.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is GCRTA replacing its railcars?
GCRTA's existing heavy and light railcars are more than 40 years old and have exceeded their expected useful lives. As the vehicles age, maintenance becomes more costly and time-consuming, replacement parts are increasingly difficult to obtain, and older technology affects reliability. The Railcar Replacement Program replaces the two aging fleets with one common railcar type designed to improve reliability, simplify maintenance and training, and serve the region for decades.
What is the total cost of the Railcar Replacement Program?

The current program budget is $435 million. It includes:

  • the design, manufacturing, and testing of the vehicles
  • upgrades to the platforms
  • upgrades to maintenance facilities
How much does each new railcar cost?
Each railcar costs approximately $5.2 million and is part of the multi-year Railcar Replacement Program contract.
How is the project being funded?

The Railcar Replacement Program is funded through a combination of GCRTA funds, NOACA funds, and state and federal grants.

SourceAmountPercentage
GCRTA$104.46M24.0%
Federal$241.20M55.5%
ODOT$60.54M13.9%
NOACA$28.80M6.6%
TOTAL$435.0M100.0%
Why are new railcars arriving while GCRTA is facing budget and service challenges? Could this money be used for service or payroll instead?
Railcar replacement is a capital project funded largely through restricted capital funding and federal grants. Those funds cannot be redirected to operating expenses such as day-to-day service or payroll. Replacing aging vehicles is a long-term investment intended to protect reliability and avoid escalating maintenance and service-disruption costs as the existing fleet continues to age.
Why is such a large investment necessary?
The $435 million Railcar Replacement Program is a long-term, generational investment in the reliability and future of the region's rail system. Replacing aging railcars and modernizing the system helps sustain safe, dependable service for years to come. By comparison, constructing the rail system GCRTA has today would cost an estimated $5 billion. Maintaining and modernizing the existing system is far more economical than rebuilding it from scratch.
What are the benefits of the new railcars?
The new railcars are expected to improve reliability, accessibility and comfort; reduce breakdowns and maintenance costs; and support more consistent service over time. Using one common car type also reduces the number of different parts GCRTA must stock and simplifies training for mechanics and operators. New technology will provide additional tools for passenger information, cold-weather operations, and operator comfort and functionality.
When will the new railcars arrive in Cleveland?
The first new railcar is anticipated to arrive in Cleveland in September 2026. After the first arrival, approximately two railcars per month are anticipated until all 54 vehicles are delivered.
When will riders see the new railcars in passenger service?
Only after extensive testing, employee training, and safety certification are complete. The first few railcars will take approximately 22 weeks (about five months) to complete commissioning. As the process is refined, subsequent railcars are expected to move through testing more quickly. The Red Line is anticipated to enter service with new railcars in Summer 2027; the Blue, Green, and Waterfront Lines are anticipated in Summer 2028.
What happens after a new railcar arrives?

Arrival is the beginning of the commissioning process, not the start of passenger service. Commissioning includes delivery inspection, static and dynamic testing, completion of 1,000 fault-free miles, employee training, and other required safety validations. The listed steps are examples and are not an exhaustive list. A railcar can enter passenger service only after required testing, training, acceptance, and safety requirements are complete.

See Commissioning a New Railcar: the journey of a railcar.

Why might I see a new train moving on the system if it is not carrying passengers?
Railcars must undergo extensive testing, training, and simulated operations before carrying passengers. Seeing new trains move without passengers is a normal and required part of commissioning and service preparation.
What is the passenger capacity of each new railcar?
Each new railcar will have 52 passenger seats, four mobility parking areas, and two bicycle racks.
What are the dimensions and weight of the new railcar?
 Existing Fleet (HRV/LRV)New Fleet
Length75.83'/80'84.6'
Width10.33'/9.25'8.7'
Floor Height3.5'/3.33'41"
Weight85,000lbs/103,000lbs89,604lbs
Will the new seats and floors be easy to clean?
Yes. The flooring will be a premium rubber product, and the seats will be made of a composite resin designed to make cleaning easier.
Will the new railcars be accessible to riders with disabilities?

Yes. The cars will be ADA accessible. They are designed to align with Red Line platforms and with the mini-high platforms on the Blue and Green Lines, as the existing fleets do today.

ADA Ramp
Will the new railcars be faster than the current fleet?
No change in operating speed is expected simply because of the new vehicles. Train operating speeds are governed by operating rules and system conditions.
How will ridership be counted on the new railcars?
A passenger counter will be mounted above each train door. It will count passengers entering and exiting at each station and record information such as passenger count, location, time, and car number in the onboard system.
Where are the new railcars being built, and do they meet Buy America requirements?

GCRTA selected Siemens Mobility Incorporated in Sacramento, California, to design and build the new vehicles. Under Federal Transit Administration Buy America requirements, more than 70% of component cost must be produced in the United States and final assembly must take place in the United States.

Is the Railcar Replacement Program an expansion of rail service or the rail system?
No. The program replaces existing railcars that have reached the end of their useful life. It does not add new rail lines or, by itself, expand service. Because the new common railcar can operate across GCRTA's rail system, the fleet will provide greater operational flexibility. Once the new fleet is fully operational, that flexibility may create opportunities to adjust or expand service in the future.
Will fares increase because GCRTA is purchasing new railcars?
No. The purchase of new railcars will not result in a fare increase.
Will the new railcars have fare validators?
Yes. All new cars will be equipped with validators. The new trains will be compatible with GCRTA's existing fare collection equipment and designed to accommodate future system-wide changes.
Will the new railcars be connected to the Transit App for trip planning and real-time information?
Yes.
Can riders continue to purchase fare media through Transit with EZfare?
Yes. Fare media can be purchased through Transit with EZfare the same way it is purchased today.
What will happen to the existing railcars, equipment, and parts?

The existing trains are more than 40 years old and are unique to GCRTA's system, limiting opportunities for reuse by other transit agencies. GCRTA's current strategy includes contacting organizations such as railroad museums to determine whether there is interest in preserving vehicles or other elements of Cleveland transit history. As the new fleet enters service, outdated equipment will be phased out and recyclable materials such as steel, aluminum, and copper will be recycled.

See Disposal of Non-Operational Rail Transit Cars: Photos and Video

Will the new and old railcars operate at the same time? Will any old cars remain as backups?
There will be a transition period, but the existing fleets cannot remain in service indefinitely after platform modifications are completed. The new railcars are narrower than the existing vehicles, so platforms must be modified to align with the new cars. Those modifications will ultimately prevent the existing fleet from clearing the modified platforms. The new fleet will be phased into service, beginning with the Red Line, and the existing fleets will eventually be retired rather than retained as service backups.
Why are some rail station platforms undergoing construction?
The new high-floor light rail vehicles are narrower than GCRTA's current railcars. Platform modifications are required so the new vehicles align properly with station platforms and provide safe passenger access.
Will maintenance costs decrease with the new railcars?
Yes. The new vehicles are expected to cost less to maintain because they will be more reliable and replacement parts will be readily available. Moving from two aging railcar types to one common fleet will also simplify parts inventory, maintenance practices, and training.
What training will employees need for the new railcars?
The new railcars introduce substantially different technology, so employees whose work involves the vehicles will receive appropriate training for their roles. Training will include operators, maintenance employees, other GCRTA staff as needed, and outside organizations such as emergency responders.
How much operating experience will a current rail operator need before driving a new railcar in service?
Current/experienced rail operators will complete approximately nine to ten hours of operating experience in a new vehicle before revenue service.
Will the Railcar Replacement Program require GCRTA to downsize its workforce?
No. The new railcars are not expected to require layoffs or workforce reductions. The Railcar Replacement Program is focused on replacing aging vehicles and modernizing the rail system, not reducing staffing.
How is GCRTA engaging stakeholders on the Railcar Replacement Program?
GCRTA works with stakeholder committees, community organizations, government partners, riders, and other groups to share information and support implementation of the Railcar Replacement Program.
When and how can I see or walk through one of the new railcars?
Follow GCRTA's social media accounts and rideRTA.com for announcements about upcoming opportunities to visit a new railcar.

Progress and Milestones

  • Hatch begins designing with specs
    completed
  • Siemens Mobility awarded railcar manufacturer

    Base Order of 24 vehicles

    completed
  • Board approved exercising Option Order #01 for 6 additional vehicles

    Brings the total order to 30 cars 

    completed
  • Manufacturing for Car #01 begins
    completed
  • Board approved exercising Option Order #02 for 18 additional vehicles

    Brings the total order to 48 cars 

    completed
  • Board approved exercising Option Order #03 for up to 6 additional vehicles.

    Brings the total order to 54 cars.

    completed
  • September 2026
    First railcar arrives in Cleveland

    Additional railcars anticipated at a rate of approximately two per month until all 54 vehicles are delivered.

  • Summer 2027
    New cars enter revenue service on the Red Line
  • Summer 2028
    New cars enter revenue service on the Blue/Green/Waterfront Lines

Team and Partners

Siemens Mobility
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K&J Safety & Security Consulting Services, Inc.
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Hatch
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