The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently announced its decision to award the Swiss company Stadler a contract for 127 Metro trains, with two options of 25 additional trains each.

For Stadler (www.stadlerrail.com), this is not only its first large Metro contractin the USA but also the largest ever order of vehicle units in the company’s history. The contract is valued at over $600 million.

The new trains are intended to provide a service to the world’s largest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to the contract, Stadler plans to deliver 127 ‘married pair units’, with the first units starting operations in Atlanta in 2023. MARTA has plans to name the new vehicles, which expand the current Stadler Metro product line, CQ400.

Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US, said: “We are extremely excited about this decision and are proud to have the opportunity to support MARTA in their fleet modernisation efforts.

The first order of Metro trains for the US marks another milestone in the company’s history.”

Stadler plans to assemble the vehicles for Atlanta at its new plant in Salt Lake City; according to the contract, the company hasto create at least 60% of the project’s value in the USA.

Founded in 1942, Stadler has its headquarters in Bussnang (Switzerland) anda workforce of over 8,500 based in various production and service locations world-wide.