Cleveland, Ohio – In a significant move to modernize its public transportation system, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has authorized an increase in its order of new railcars.
During the board meeting on November 19th, 2024, GCRTA decided to expand the order from 30 to 48 railcars, with an option to add an additional 12, bringing the potential total to 60 railcars. The new railcars are expected to begin delivery in June 2026.
GCRTA currently operates a fleet of 40 heavy rail vehicles servicing the Red Line and 29 light rail vehicles servicing the Blue, Green, and Waterfront Lines.
According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the default useful life benchmark for both heavy and light rail vehicles is 31 years. However, GCRTA's existing heavy rail vehicles have been in service for 39 years, and the light rail vehicles started service 42 years ago.
This new order is part of GCRTA's plan to replace the entire fleet, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective service for its passengers.
Each new railcar comes at a cost of $5,800,000. In April 2023, GCRTA awarded a contract for 24 Siemens High Floor Light Rail vehicles and purchased an additional 6 vehicles in November 2023. This latest purchase through the RTA Development Fund will bring the total order up to 48 railcars, marking a significant step towards modernizing Cleveland's public transportation system.
The GCRTA system is integral to Cleveland's connectivity, providing access to key locations such as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and major sports venues like the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and FirstEnergy Stadium.
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