Apr 4, 2023
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Rail Car Replacement Project Team recommended Siemens Mobility Incorporated to the GCRTA Board of Trustees as the preferred vendor to replace their aging rail fleet during the April 4, 2023, GCRTA Board Committee meeting.
“I am excited for my team, and our customers regarding this historical achievement,” said GCRTA General Manager, 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.
- Advanced 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,” added Caver.
“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 (FTA), Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and The Greater Cleveland RTA.