Stadler providing Austin with light rail

(CONNECT) Stadler Rail will develop and build a total of 21 light rail vehicles for the first city railway system in Austin in the U.S. state of Texas. According to a statement, the contract with the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) also contains an option for a further 19 trains. The first extension level of the network will span approximately 16 kilometers and include 15 stops. The fully electric trains are expected to run every five to ten minutes throughout the day. The system has been designed to have the potential to be expanded gradually in future. 

According to the statement, the trains stand out in terms of accessibility and performance. Thanks to the integration of Stadler’s CITYLINK platform with low-floor aisles without steps, the vehicles are fully accessible. The five-car trains will reach high speeds of up to 105 kilometers per hour outside of the city center and will have capacity for around 240 passengers. Furthermore, they will include multipurpose areas for bikes, strollers, and luggage, meeting all the needs of city transport.
 
With this agreement, Stadler is further developing its presence in North America.  This is the company’s fifth project in the American state of Texas. In addition, the project has an option for a long-term agreement on technical support and the delivery of replacement parts. This would be Stadler’s fifth long-term service agreement in the USA and its third in Texas. According to the statement, Stadler is positioning itself at the forefront of a broader resurgence in U.S. transit investment.  

CEO of ATP, Greg Canally, is quoted in the statement, saying: “The action today demonstrates our commitment to build a light rail system that is right for Austin as ATP keeps advancing the project.” Construction of the new railway infrastructure in Austin is set to start in 2027. ce/ja