St. Louis' MetroLink Approves Addition of New Siemens LRVs
The new MetroLink vehicles are being funded, in part, by $196 million in federal funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this year.
Initially, 24 Siemens high-floor light rail vehicles will be put into MetroLink service in phases, with the first group of new MetroLink cars expected to be in operation in the next few years.
Photo: St. Louis Metro
Siemens Mobility Inc. was awarded the contract to provide St. Louis Metro Transit with up to 55 new light rail vehicles to replace aging MetroLink vehicles.
During its Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners meeting, the board approved the $390.4 million contract with Siemens to deliver new high-floor light rail vehicles and provide project management, support, testing, spare parts, tools, and diagnostic equipment.
The new MetroLink vehicles are being funded, in part, by $196 million in federal funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this year.
“We are entrusted with the great responsibility of connecting people to opportunity. These new MetroLink vehicles are significant to ensuring the MetroLink system operates efficiently and continues to provide quality service to our customers across the region,” said Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development, which operates Metro Transit for the St. Louis region.
MetroLink’s Light Rail System
The MetroLink system currently operates 75 vehicles, more than 20 are 30 years old and have over one million miles each. Fifteen vehicles of the existing fleet have topped the two-million-mile mark. Many of Metro Transit’s MetroLink cars are operating well beyond the typical expected 25-year service life.
The new light rail vehicles will operate within the existing MetroLink alignment, platform, and facility infrastructure, which spans 46 miles and 38 stations throughout the region and are well-equipped for the St. Louis region’s ever-changing weather.
“Our existing fleet has lasted far longer than anticipated, a testament to the exceptional work performed by our MetroLink maintenance team over the last 30 years,” said Roach. “We will continue to be good stewards of the public funds we receive and take great care of our new MetroLink fleet, so they can help the St. Louis region thrive for years to come.”
Plans for MetroLink’s New Vehicles
Initially, 24 high-floor light rail vehicles will be put into MetroLink service in phases, with the first group of new MetroLink cars expected to be in operation in the next few years.
The contract includes an option for 31 additional MetroLink cars to be executed at the board’s discretion.
Siemens Mobility has been a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years and has been the exclusive provider of light rail vehicles to Metro Transit in the St. Louis region since MetroLink began operations 30 years ago.
More Rail
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →