Siemens has been chosen by The Metropolitan Council to manufacture 27 new light rail vehicles that will operate on the Twin Cities’ Metro Transit Southwest line expansion. Siemens will begin engineering the new vehicles which will feature improvements including a redesigned middle section to improve passenger flow including wheelchairs and bicycles, ice cutters to remove sleet from the overhead wires that provide the electrical current to power the vehicles, and preferred seating to meet Americans with Disabilities guidelines, among many others.
The contract expands Siemens relationship with the Twin Cities, adding to the existing fleet of 59 Siemens S70 light rail vehicles successfully operating on Metro Transit’s Green and Blue lines. Five additional S70s are currently in production in Sacramento and will add capacity to the existing system.
“Siemens is pleased to continue our successful relationship with Minnesota to provide the latest in light rail vehicle technology that improves the riding experience,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Rolling Stock. “As the manufacturer of one out of every three light rail vehicles in North America, we’re confident that these new vehicles will help continue to enhance mobility for people in and around the Twin Cities.”
The S70s will be built at Siemens rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, Calif. The plant, which has been in operation for almost 30 years, is powered in part by two megawatts of solar energy and currently employs nearly 1,000 people. Siemens is currently the leading supplier of light rail vehicles in North America.
The first light rail vehicle is expected to arrive in Minnesota in 2019.
