The North County Transit District (NCTD) unveiled the first of twelve Siemens Transportation Systems (STS) Inc. Desiro Classic DMU (diesel multiple units) trains during a ceremony at its vehicle maintenance facility in Escondido, Calif. The trains, which are Siemens’ first DMUs to arrive in the U.S., will be used for NCTD’s Sprinter line and link customers to existing and planned rail and bus lines over 22 miles of track when it begins service in December 2007. STS’ Desiro units are manufactured in Germany and feature a lightweight, aluminum bodyshell construction and European design, with modular interior configurations. The units’ drive system features dual 420 hp turbocharged, intercooled six-cylinder diesel engines, as well as a five-speed automatic transmission with integrated torque converter and retarder. It travels at a top speed of 55 mph and can run in two unit sets.
NCTD unveils first Siemens DMU train
New trains to be used for agency's Sprinter line.
More Management
STV Launches Power Practice and More in Biz Briefs
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from SilverRide, Complete Coach Works, and more.
Read More →
FTA Announces $28.5M Investment for Transit-Oriented Development Planning
The Pilot Program for TOD Planning helps support FTA’s mission of improving America’s communities through public transportation by providing funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning with a new fixed-guideway or core-capacity transit capital investment.
Read More →
When the Buses Are Ready, and the System Isn’t
Transit agencies have moved past pilot projects, but scaling electrification is exposing a harder truth: the real challenge isn’t vehicles, it’s everything around them.
Read More →
LA Metro Opens D Line Extension
The only new subway opening in the US this year, the D Line Extension represents one of Metro’s top transit priorities and a historic milestone for Los Angeles, with Sections 2 and 3 set to open in 2027.
Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit's Cecil Blandon
In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
Read More →
Montreal’s STM Reports Ridership Decline, Service Modernization Efforts
The transit agency cites labor disruptions, demographic shifts, and evolving rider needs as it advances safety initiatives, paratransit changes, and major infrastructure projects across its network.
Read More →
Avoiding Mid-Season Breakdowns: A Fleet Readiness Q&A
John Hatman, COO of Master’s Transportation, breaks down the priorities, warning signs and common mistakes fleet managers should address now to stay ahead of summer demand.
Read More →
TTC Launches New Wayfinding Pilot, Announces Fare Capping Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
See how the TTC is testing a new wayfinding system at major subway stations while planning to introduce fare capping to make transit easier to navigate and more affordable for riders.
Read More →
PATCO Opens New Operations Control Center
The new center serves as the central hub for monitoring and managing PATCO train operations, communications, customer service coordination, incident response, and overall operational oversight across the transit system.
Read More →
VIA Rail reports Stable Ridership, Rising Revenue Amid Ongoing Challenges
Despite these pressures, VIA Rail is reporting that total revenues increased to $514.8 million as more travelers took advantage of the wide range of options available through the corporation’s new reservation system.
Read More →