GCRTA recommends Siemens to provide new rail fleet
Siemens Mobility has been named the preferred vendor to provide Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) with a new fleet of railcars to replace the current aging fleet. The recommendation was made by the GCRTA Rail Car Replacement Project Team.
“I am excited for my team and our customers regarding this historical achievement,” said GCRTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer India L. Birdsong Terry. “This new rail car model reduces inventory and maintenance costs, streamlines training and increases future route flexibility, leading to enhanced customer access for future generations of GCRTA riders.”
The recommendation also included an initial request to award a contract to purchase up to 24 Siemens Model S200 rail cars, with the option to purchase up to a total of 60 cars in the future. The new rail cars are modeled after fleet currently used by Calgary Transit, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
New rail car features include:
- High floor light-rail vehicles with two-door heights for high- and low-level platform accessibility
- ADA accessibility capability at all rail station platforms
- Advance infotainment system for enhanced digital and travel experience
- Modern operator cab area with dedicated HVAC unit, heated windshield and enhanced visibility
- Ice cutter pantographs on every car
- 52 passenger seats, two wheelchairs and four bicycles capacity per rail car
“These rail cars provide us with opportunities for new service alignments that will completely enhance our customers’ riding experience,” said GCRTA Chief Operating Officer Dr. Floun’say Caver. “Imagine the ability to take a train directly from the Green Road Station to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Station without having to switch trains at Tower City."
“I am delighted to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition after years of research and planning, said GCRTA Board President Rev. Charles P. Lucas, Pastor Emeritus, St. James AME Church. “Being able to witness the replacement of our aging fleet with a new progressive fleet is inspiring.”
The rail car replacement project total budget currently stands at $393 million, inclusive of new rail cars, infrastructure modifications, railroad connections, engineering, testing, training, field support, spare parts and special tooling. Support for this project comes from the Federal Transportation Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and The Greater Cleveland RTA.
