Siemens S70 light rail vehicle for Metro Transit. Photo: courtesy of Siemens.
The Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council has chosen Siemens to manufacture 27 new light rail vehicles that will operate on the Twin Cities’ Metro Transit Southwest line expansion. The contract adds to the existing fleet of 59 Siemens S70 light rail vehicles operating on Metro Transit’s Green and Blue lines, and five additional S70s are currently in production.
The new light rail vehicles will feature 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.
“Siemens is pleased to continue our successful relationship with Minnesota to provide the latest in light rail vehicle technology that improves the riding experience,” remarked 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 first light rail vehicle is expected to arrive in Minnesota in 2019.