Texas’s Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) selected Stadler to provide light rail vehicles for the city’s light rail system.

Stadler was identified as the highest-ranked firm following a competitive procurement process that evaluated factors such as a firm’s experience, personnel qualifications, technical approach, and design innovation.

The company has extensive experience delivering transit infrastructure projects globally and has delivered multiple projects nationally, including in Texas.

“ATP is excited to have Stadler join the Austin Light Rail team to design a vehicle with features never before delivered in the United States,” said Greg Canally, ATP’s CEO. “The action today demonstrates our commitment to building a light rail system that is right for Austin as ATP advances toward construction in 2027.”

Wrapping Process, Moving Forward

The award marks the conclusion of a series of major procurements over 18 months, as outlined in ATP’s delivery plan, and keeps Austin Light Rail on track.

The board-approved contract award allows ATP to execute a fixed-price contract with Stadler for design coordination, design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of light rail vehicles.

Having the vehicle designer under contract now will allow for timely coordination with the teams that are currently designing the overall light rail system and Operations and Maintenance Facility, said ATP officials.

ATP’s Stadler Vehicles

The 21 Austin Light Rail vehicles will be based on Stadler’s CITYLINK model, which features a modern, sleek body and interior with design elements that create an open, passenger-friendly experience.

The CITYLINK trains feature a low-floor design throughout most of the train, eliminating steps in the aisle. This feature, combined with level boarding from the station platform, creates a seamless, fully accessible experience for passengers, said officials.

The low-floor design also creates a spacious feel with higher ceilings and less obstruction in walkways. Large windows allow for clearer sightlines into and from the train, supporting safety and connectedness to the surrounding environment. Longer trains with multiple doorways maximize passenger capacity, allowing more people to move, both daily and during special events.

“Stadler’s CITYLINK platform is setting a new benchmark — defining what the next generation of light rail vehicles can be in the United States,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler’s North America Division. “Together with Austin Transit Partnership, we are helping shape a new era of transit in Austin, one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.”

Each train is designed to carry approximately 240 passengers, with seating areas and standing space.

The design will also include ADA-compliant zones and flexible multi-purpose areas for bikes, luggage, and strollers. The design process will include opportunities for the Austin community to provide input on elements such as vehicle color schemes, seating configurations, accessibility features, and wayfinding to improve the customer experience.

What’s Next?

The ATP board authorized an initial work authorization of $39 million for preliminary work under the approved contract, which provides a thoughtful contracting approach for federal readiness and risk management as the project progresses through the federal funding process.

Funding for this authorization is available from existing Proposition A revenues. Additional work beyond this initial amount will require future action by ATP’s board with a total fixed-price contract not to exceed $352 million.

Austin’s first light rail system will feature 15 stations along a nearly 10-mile alignment with all-electric trains running every five to 10 minutes throughout most of the day. The system is designed to be fully expandable to support future growth, said ATP.