10 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Cleveland, OH Scene, 4/5/23:

 

 

   RTA Eyes Newest Rail Cars In 40 Years—Plus Four New Possible Rapid Routes  

 

 

For the first time since the era of Ronald Reagan, the launch of MTV, and the arrival of the first woman on the Supreme Court bench in Sandra Day O'Connor, RTA is looking at the possibility of new rail cars.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 4/6/23

 

GCRTA recommends Siemens as preferred rail-car manufacturer

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (GCRTA) rail-car replacement project team this week recommended Siemens Mobility as the transit agency's preferred vendor to replace its aging rail fleet.

 

The recommendation to the GCRTA's board included an initial request to award a contract to buy up to 24 Siemens model S200 rail cars with an option to add up to 60 cars, GCRTA officials said in a press release. The rail cars are modeled after fleets now used by Calgary Transit in Alberta, Canada.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

GCRTA news release

 

GCRTA Announces Recommendation of Rail Car Replacement Vendor

 

Apr 4, 2023

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Rail Car Replacement Project Team recommended Siemens Mobility Incorporated to the GCRTA Board of Trustees as the preferred vendor to replace their aging rail fleet during the April 4, 2023, GCRTA Board Committee meeting.

 

“I am excited for my team, and our customers regarding this historical achievement,” said GCRTA General Manager, Chief Executive Officer India L. Birdsong Terry.  “This new rail car model reduces inventory and maintenance costs, streamlines training, and increases future route flexibility, leading to enhanced customer access for future generations of GCRTA riders.”

 

The recommendation also included an initial request to award a contract to purchase up to 24 Siemens Model S200 rail cars, with the option to purchase up to a total of 60 cars in the future.  The new rail cars are modeled after fleet currently used by Calgary Transit, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

 

New rail car features include:
• High floor light rail vehicles with two-door heights for high and low level platform accessibility.
• ADA accessibility capability at all rail station platforms.
• Advance infotainment system for enhanced digital and travel experience.
• Modern operator cab area with dedicated HVAC unit, heated windshield, and enhanced visibility.
• Ice cutter pantographs on every car.
• 52 passenger seats, two wheelchairs and four bicycles capacity per rail car.

 

“These rail cars provide us with opportunities for new service alignments that will completely enhance our customers’ riding experience,” said GCRTA Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Floun’say Caver. “Imagine the ability to take a train directly from the Green Road Station to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Station without having to switch trains at Tower City,” added Caver.

 

“I am delighted to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition after years of research and planning, said GCRTA Board President, Rev. Charles P. Lucas, Pastor Emeritus, St. James AME Church. “Being able to witness the replacement of our aging fleet with a new progressive fleet is inspiring.”

 

The rail car replacement project total budget currently stands at $393 million, inclusive of new rail cars, infrastructure modifications, railroad connections, engineering, testing, training, field support, spare parts, and special tooling. Support for this project comes from The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and The Greater Cleveland RTA.

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Cleveland RTA set to have Siemens build new Red Line cars

 

April 5, 2023

 

Contract advances toward final approval, but some funding must still be found

 

A preliminary concept for new Siemens equipment for the Greater Cleveland RTA Red Line, as presented to the RTA Board of Trustees on Tuesday, April 4. Siemens Mobility

 

CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is prepared to have Siemens Mobility build new railcars to replace its Red Line rapid-transit fleet — but is not yet sure it has the funding to order the equipment.

 

Cleveland.com reports the RTA Board of Trustees, in a committee of the whole, voted to advance a $164 million contract for Siemens to build 24 cars for the Red Line in the next four years. The purchase will be discussed again in committee April 10, then move to the full board for approval April 18.

 

But the RTA is still about $7 million short of the funding needed for that order, which is the first part of an estimated $393 million to replace the entire RTA railcar fleet.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Trains magazine, 4/20/23:

 

 

 

   Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority approves purchase of new light rail transit cars  

 

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Board Tuesday approved the purchase of 24 Siemens Model S200 rail cars, with the option to purchase up to a total of 60 cars in the future. The new cars are modeled after a fleet currently used by Calgary Transit in Alberta.

 

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Metro, 4/19/23

 

Cleveland RTA Taps Siemens for Railcar Replacement Program

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) board voted to approve the Rail Car Replacement Team’s recommendation of Siemens Mobility Inc. as the preferred vendor to replace their aging rail fleet.

 

 

“I am overjoyed for my team, and our customers regarding this pivotal achievement,” said GCRTA GM/CEO India L. Birdsong Terry. “Today’s approval by the GCRTA Board Trustees underscores the importance of public transportation to our region and subsequent investment in our communities. Together, we move forward in strengthening our transportation network and associated infrastructure.”

 

The approval initiates the process of awarding a contract to Siemens for the purchase of 24 S200 railcars, with the option to purchase up to a total of 60 in the future. The new railcars are modeled after a fleet currently used by Calgary Transit.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Trains magazine,  7/10/23:

 

 

  Siemens to build new light rail equipment for Cleveland’s Red Line        

 

 

Siemens Mobility will build 24 light rail vehicles to replace the equipment currently operationg on the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Red Line, the manufacturer announced today (July 10).

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Railway Age, 7/10/23

 

Siemens Mobility Lands LRV Order from Greater Cleveland RTA

 

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

 

 

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has selected Siemens Mobility to supply 24 S200 light rail vehicles (LRV) to replace its Red Line fleet, which runs from East Cleveland, Ohio, to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The contract includes an option for up to 36 more vehicles to replace the Blue and Green line fleets.

 

Greater Cleveland RTA’s current heavy (Red Line) and light rail (Blue and Green line) fleets are 39 and 42 years old, Siemens Mobility reported during the July 10 announcement. (The last of 60 heavy rail Tokyu cars was placed into service in 1985; 48 Breda cars went into service in 1981.) The new LRVs will feature two door heights for high- and low-level platform accessibility, which will allow for operation on any of the lines.  . . .

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Axios Cleveland,   7/11/23:

 

 

 

     Red Line RTA rail cars purchased at last  

 

 

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has at long last purchased rail cars to replace its aging Red Line fleet.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 10/3/23

 

Cleveland RTA obtains $12.4 million for rail-car replacement

 

In July, GCRTA selected Siemens Mobility as the vendor for its new rail cars. The S200s are based on the current fleet at Calgary Transit in Alberta, Canada.

Photo – Siemens Mobility

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation has awarded a $12.6 million grant to help fund the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (GCRTA) rail-car replacement program and electric-vehicle planning.

 

Awarded through the state's Ohio Transit Partnership Program, $12.4 million of the funding will go toward rail-car replacement and $200,000 for electric bus vehicle planning.

 

 

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