Knorr Brake Company LLC (KBC), the U.S. passenger rail subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, will supply braking systems to Stadler U.S. Inc. for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) new railway fleet.
The project is KBC’s first order for braking systems with MARTA.
“Stadler and Knorr-Bremse have maintained a close and trusted relationship ever since both companies entered the North American railway market,”said Dr. Jürgen Wilder, executive board member of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division. “Therefore, we are all the more pleased to be able to conclude this long-term original equipment order, which anew underlines our strong position in the urban transport segment.”
“This contract is Knorr Brake Company’s first-ever order for braking systems with MARTA, and we are very proud to be Stadler’s partner of choice to help replace Atlanta’s metro fleet,” said Jason Connell, president and CEO of Knorr Brake Company. “A robust technical design, light-weight solutions to help enable energy efficiency, and the power of our proven technologies and technical support were among the winning factors in the order’s tender process.”
Technologies within the contract include bogie brake equipment and the Knorr-Bremse PistonSupply Eco (VV80-T™) oil-free compressor, with dedicated air supply unit inverters designed and produced specifically for U.S. metro applications. Brake controls and wheel slide protection (WSP) dump valves, also a part of the agreement, will interface with the train control and management system (TCMS) via a platform developed by Selectron, Knorr-Bremse’s subsidiary for integrated digital and cyber security solutions.
“The MARTA project is one of our largest projects in the U.S. so far. With Knorr as our partner, we expect to fulfill our promise to our customer by delivering exceptional, top-of-the-line metro cars to MARTA,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US Inc.
While most of the braking components will be produced at KBC’s Westminster, Maryland-based facility, the vehicles will be manufactured by Stadler US Inc. in its new Salt Lake City, Utah, plant and delivered to Atlanta to replace existing metro cars. The initial deliveries from KBC are expected in the first quarter of 2022 and will run through the close of 2028.
