Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awarded Alstom a EUR 667 million contract to deliver 130 full low-floor Citadis LRVs, including options for an additional 30 light rail vehicles.
The agreement calls for the delivery of fully customised, sustainable, next-generation Citadis LRVs specifically designed for North America and made to navigate the historic streets of Philadelphia.
The new Citadis light rail vehicles will provide an energy-efficient mobility solution that utilises state-of-the-art, service-proven traction technology and offers a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to a standard light rail solution. Additionally, energy efficiency is achieved by integrating LED lights and sensor-based air-conditioning, and each vehicle is 99% recyclable at the end of its 30-year lifespan.
The cars will feature 100 percent full low floors with wider aisles to facilitate passenger movement and accessibility, ramps at all doors for disabled access, audio and visual messaging systems to inform and communicate upcoming stops and service changes to passengers and metro-style seating characterised by flexible interiors that accommodate larger items while adjusting to capacity, demand and need, as well as designated spaces for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and bicycles.
The new trams will also help SEPTA provide a faster and more reliable service that carries more passengers, uses less energy, reaches more destinations, and above all, provides equitable service for everyone.
The full low-floor Citadis LRVs will replace the existing fleet that operates from the 80’s and will serve the 80,000 daily passengers using tram services.
SEPTA’s seven tram lines run for 109.5 km (68 miles) and connect communities in west, southwest and north Philadelphia and Delaware County directly with the region’s two largest employment and healthcare centres, Center City and University City.
The light rail vehicles will be manufactured in the United States, at Alstom’s Hornell facility in upstate New York, which has years of proven experience and the established capabilities necessary to meet “Buy America” requirements. Alstom has invested extensively in the Hornell site over the past few years, including the construction of a stainless-steel car body shell manufacturing facility to localise car body shell production, which will provide greater quality control over the entire production process for SEPTA. The advanced propulsion system for the new trams will be manufactured in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
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