Siemens to supply Charlotte, N.C., with 16 LRVs

Siemens Transportation Systems Inc. was awarded a contract, valued at $52.5 million, for the delivery of 16 S70 light rail vehicles (LRV) to the Charlotte (N.C.) Area Transit System (CATS). CATS will use the LRVs on its South Corridor Light Rail Project, an approximately 10-mile line running from Uptown Charlotte to Interstate 485. Delivery of the first vehicle is projected for January 2006. The LRVs, capable of speeds up to 65 mph, feature room for 236 passengers. Siemens is currently bidding to provide the electrification and signaling infrastructure for the rail line.