The agreement calls for the delivery of fully customized, sustainable, next-generation Citadis light rail vehicles (LRVs) specifically designed for North America and made to navigate the historic streets of Philadelphia.
The new Citadis rail vehicles will provide an energy-efficient mobility solution that utilizes 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 new streetcars will 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.
“We are proud to be selected by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build and supply 130 next-generation LRVs,” said Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas. “The new Citadis streetcars will bring more efficient accessible and equitable service to the people of Philadelphia’s metropolis, as they will replace the existing SEPTA fleet that dates from the 80s. We are thrilled with the opportunity to serve over 80,000 daily riders with a more accessible, comfortable, and modern experience.”
SEPTA’s seven trolley lines run for 68 miles and connect communities in west, southwest and north Philadelphia and Delaware County directly with the region’s two largest employment and healthcare centers, Center City and University City. The current trolley vehicles have served riders since the early 1980s.
The streetcars will be manufactured in the US, 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 localize car body shell production, which will provide greater quality control over the entire production process for SEPTA.
Additionally, Alstom will manufacture the advanced propulsion system for the streetcars at its North American center of excellence for advanced propulsion technology research and development and engineering in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
Alstom’s Citadis range of low-floor trams and light rail vehicles offers modern and energy-efficient transportation for cities. With a wide variety of solutions for catenary-free operation, Citadis products are especially suited for new lines and urban renewal projects. Since the first tram entered service in 2000, Citadis trams have covered over one billion kilometers and transported 10 billion passengers. More than 3,000 Citadis vehicles have been ordered or are already in successful revenue service in 70 cities, in more than 20 countries.