Siemens Mobility Chosen for 24 New Railcars

Siemens Mobility has been selected by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) to provide 24 new S200 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for the Red Line fleet, which includes an option for up to 36 additional vehicles that would replace GCRTA’s Blue and Green Line trains. With an average age of 39 and 42 years, GCRTA's current heavy and light rail fleets surpass the usual life expectancy of traditional transit railway vehicles. This is part of the transit agency's efforts to revamp its rail system and improve passenger experience. The delivery of these new LRVs is expected to be completed in four years.

Advantages of New Railcars

The base order will fulfill the needs of the Red Line, and as improvements are made to the Blue and Green Lines platforms, additional measures may be taken. These changes have been made possible due to a grant of $130M from the Federal Transit Administration through the FY22/23 Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, an initiative set forth in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. The new S200 Light Rail Vehicles from Siemens Mobility will not only revamp the Red Line, but will also bring a host of benefits for passengers in Greater Cleveland.

The newest transportation addition to GCRTA will not only be practical, but impressive in design and functionality. The new railcars will offer 52 seating options, which provide ample space and an advanced easy-to-clean feature for heightened sanitation measures. With an emphasis on accessibility, 4 wheelchair areas will be added, in addition to 2 bicycle racks for commuters looking to utilize sustainable modes of transportation. The railcars will also be engineered to endure the harshest winter conditions with cutting-edge technology to cut through ice, modern HVAC systems in the operator cab, and a heated windshield. Passengers can indulge in the advanced infotainment system which provides the latest technological amenities, such as trip information. This newest offering in Cleveland's transportation industry presents an exciting solution for ridership comfort, safety, and ease. 

“These new LRVs are catalytic for the health and economics of Greater Cleveland. They will promote increased ridership and encourage transit-oriented development along the Red Line communities from East Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport,” said GCRTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, India L. Birdsong Terry. Siemens Mobility, in collaboration with GCRTA, will be working closely together to co-create the final design of the rail system. Upon completion, the project will be built at Siemens Mobility’s rail manufacturing facility located in Sacramento, CA.

References

Rumsey, H. (2023, July 10). Siemens Mobility to Replace Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Red Line Fleet with 24 S200 LRVs (R. Fleig, Ed.). [online] https://www.riderta.com/news/siemens-replace-rta-fleet