[IMAGE]stv.jpg[/IMAGE]The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) serves the country's fourth-largest commuter rail market, with more than 35 million riders annually in and around Philadelphia. To better meet the needs of its commuters, the agency is replacing the oldest vehicles in its aging fleet with 120 state-of-the-art stainless steel commuter rail vehicles.

SEPTA selected STV for this procurement job, the latest phase in the $300-million program. STV has been providing project management, engineering and quality assurance to SEPTA since June 2006.

The new fleet, called the Silverliner V, features quarter point doors that can be converted from high to low platform boarding. An integrated ramp provides easy access for wheelchairs or strollers, and bright, open interiors will feature LCD screens to provide trip information, news and advertising.

United Transit Systems, a consortium of South Korea-based Hyundai-Rotem and Japanese Sojitz, is manufacturing the vehicles. The car shells are being assembled in Changwon, South Korea, where STV is monitoring the manufacturing and pilot car test activities.

Final assembly of the cars is taking place at Hyundai-Rotem's facility in Philadelphia, where STV is providing testing and inspection services.

Pilot cars arrived in Philadelphia in March 2010 and are currently undergoing testing. The first production vehicles are expected to be delivered later this year, with the final cars delivered in summer 2011.