SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Salt Lake City’s Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has ordered from Siemens 77 S70 light rail vehicles over a four-year period.
The $277 million contract surpasses the order volume from Siemens’ most recent win in Denver for 55 light rail vehicles and is UTA’s fourth order with Siemens. That brings the total number of Siemens vehicles for Salt Lake City to 117.
“Utah is the fifth fastest growing state in the U.S. and the expansion of our rail system brings us closer to creating a more sustainable and less congested metro area for us and the next generation,” said John Inglish, UTA’s general manager.
The UTA chose the S70 model similar to those operating in San Diego, Calif., and Charlotte, N.C., but at 81.37 feet long, it is slightly shorter. The modification will enable UTA to maximize the use of their passenger platforms and operate 4-car train consists, officials said.
UTA’s FrontLines rail expansion to build 70 miles of rail in seven years includes four new light rail lines, and vehicles will be delivered in time for the start of revenue service on each line. All vehicles are scheduled to be ready for service by 2012 and the new contract includes an option for up to an additional 180 cars.
“Winning the Salt Lake City UTA contract demonstrates the confidence our customers have in Siemens and our products well into the future and further enables us to reinforce our long-term commitment to the riding public,” said Oliver Hauck, president and CEO of Siemens Transportation Systems Inc.
Siemens light rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, Calif., will build the S70 low floor vehicles from start to finish. The Sacramento STS facility workforce has steadily grown by 30 percent since completing its car shell manufacturing expansion two years ago, officials said.
— Railfanning.org News Wire based on PRNewswire
