California’s Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is adding to its order of new low-floor light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility (Siemens) with an additional order of nine S700 vehicles.

The order builds on the previous order of 36, bringing the total number of trains ordered to 45. SacRT’s contract with Siemens is for the purchase of up to 76 new low-floor light rail vehicles.

“As we continue to prioritize the enhancement of our transit system, I am thrilled to announce the purchase of nine additional new low floor light rail vehicles,” said SacRT GM/CEO Henry Li. “By investing in these state-of-the-art trains, we are not only elevating the transit experience for our riders but also reinforcing our dedication to a sustainable future for the Sacramento region.”

SacRT’s Siemens Low-Floor Vehicles

The S700 low-floor vehicles have platform boarding at every doorway and allow riders in mobility devices to board using a deployable ramp at the two center doors instead of having to use a mini-high ramp. Each vehicle features four dedicated wheelchair locations. The spacious seating design with larger windows allows for better light and views.

In addition, the vehicles have better temperature control for heating and cooling and improved reliability with remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

Siemens has already delivered 20 new S700 low-floor light rail vehicles to SacRT’s light rail facility in north Sacramento where they are undergoing rigorous testing procedures. The tests are vital to ensuring the trains meet stringent safety and performance standards before being integrated into service, which is expected to begin on the Gold and Green lines in summer 2024.

The Blue Line will continue to operate the current high-floor light rail trains, which still require riders in mobility devices and those unable to climb stairs to use the mini-high ramps at the ends of the station platforms. SacRT will begin construction on Blue Line station platforms to meet the height requirements of the new low-floor trains in late 2024 and construction is expected to be completed by 2027.

Sacramento Building for Sacramento

The S700 vehicles for SacRT are manufactured by Siemens Mobility in south Sacramento, keeping jobs in the region.

The plant is one of the largest and most sustainable facilities in the U.S. and is part of Siemens Mobility’s larger U.S. manufacturing network of eight facilities, nearly 4,500 employees and 2,000 suppliers.