Take a sneak peek at RTA's new rail cars
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Rendering of the new Siemens RTA rail car. Screenshots: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
A recent presentation offered a sneak peek at the look and features of RTA's new fleet of rapid transit rail cars. Currently being built by Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, California, the vehicles will be in service in Cleveland in 2027.
Why it matters: RTA's existing heavy rail (Red Line) and light rail (Blue and Green Lines) cars are roughly 40 years old and long past their expected lifespans.
- The new vehicles can be used on both systems, reducing operating and maintenance costs.
State of play: RTA has purchased 48 vehicles at $5.2 million each, with potential for 12 more rail cars under its contract with Siemens.
Zoom in: Each car will have 52 passenger seats, four wheelchair areas, and two vertical bicycle racks.
- They'll come equipped with heated windshields and an ice cutter pantograph, which clears ice that collects on the Rapid's overhead catenary wires.
- The cars will have a hydraulic braking system instead of the pneumatic brakes currently used.
- And in the operator's compartment, the driver's seat will be centrally located for better visibility.
The big picture: RTA must modify its Red Line stations to accommodate the new narrower cars.
- Platforms will need to be extended by about 10 inches for safe boarding, per RTA rail car replacement manager Bryan Moore.
- Enhancements at Blue and Green Line stations will mainly improve ADA accessibility.
Between the lines: A rail switch will be installed at the Port of Cleveland to ship the vehicles from California by rail.
What's next: Expected delivery for the first 24 vehicles is the summer of 2026.
- Siemens reps will be present to perform initial testing. Each car will be required to run 1,000 miles defect-free before being put into service.