Photo: AlstomAlstom, a global leader in ‘smart and sustainable mobility’, has signed a contract with the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), to deliver 130 ‘full low-floor electric streetcars’ valued at over 667 million euros (about $718.2 million), with options to build an additional 30 streetcars. The next-generation Citadis light rail vehicles (LRVs) will be designed specifically for North America and made ‘to navigate the historic streets of Philadelphia’.
The new Citadis streetcars will provide an energy-efficient mobility solution that uses service-proven traction technology and offers a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to a standard light rail solution — and each vehicle is 99% recyclable at the end of its 30-year lifespan.
Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas, said: “We are proud to be selected by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build and supply 130 next-generation LRVs. 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 80’s. We are thrilled with the opportunity to serve over 80,000 daily riders with a more accessible, comfortable, and modern experience.”
The streetcars will be manufactured in the USA, 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 shell-manufacturing facility for stainless-steel car bodies to localise car body shell production and provide greater quality control over the entire production process for SEPTA.
Additionally, Alstom will manufacture the propulsion system for the streetcars at its ‘North American centre of excellence for advanced propulsion technology research and development and engineering’ in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
Since the first tram entered service in 2000, Citadis trams have covered over one billion kilometres 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.