The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has unveiled its new low-floor light-rail trains. SacRT has purchased 28 new S700 trains from Siemens Mobility, with the option to purchase up to 76 new trains. Siemens has already delivered six new low-floor trains, with SacRT receiving about two per month over the next few years.
The new low-floor vehicles will provide easier access at every doorway, a spacious seating design and large windows for better light and views. They will feature improved accessibility with wider aisles and areas for passengers using mobility devices, including wheelchairs and bicycles. The new low-floor vehicles will increase overall operational flexibility by providing more access to passengers with disabilities at the platform level instead of having to use the mini-high ramps at the end of the station.
Each train will be put through a rigorous phased testing process before customers will be able to ride the trains. The testing process includes testing all the electrical functions onboard, braking and propulsion and operating a minimum of 1,000 miles of pre-revenue service without any major failure.
The dynamic testing began May 3 and will take place Monday through Friday on the north area Blue Line between Watt/I-80 and Swanston stations, from 11 p.m. through the end of service each weekday.
The new low-floor trains will start passenger service on the Gold Line once the station platform modifications are completed, which is expected by summer 2024.
