The S700 cars are the latest advancement of the fully-electric S70 low-floor vehicle platform designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility at its solar-powered facility in Sacramento, Calif.
Photo via INIT
2 min to read
The S700 cars are the latest advancement of the fully-electric S70 low-floor vehicle platform designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility at its solar-powered facility in Sacramento, Calif.
Photo via INIT
San Diego's Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) awarded Siemens Mobility a contract for 25 S700 Low-floor Light Rail Vehicles. The cars will operate the entire 53-mile double-tracked MTS light rail network, including on the 11-mile Mid-Coast Trolley extension, which is scheduled to open in 2021. It will extend San Diego's current Blue Line from the heart of downtown north to University of California San Diego and University Town Center.
The new vehicles will replace Siemens Mobility's high-floor SD100 LRVs, which were manufactured in the 1990s. This purchase and subsequent purchases will make San Diego's fleet fully low-floor and accessible. Delivery of the new LRVs is expected in 2021.
The S700 cars are the latest advancement of the fully-electric S70 low-floor vehicle platform designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility at its solar-powered facility in Sacramento, Calif. They are characterized by an open and spacious low-floor interior. The wide aisleway makes the vehicle much easier to traverse into and around for passengers, bicycles, and wheelchairs. There are also energy efficiency features like LED lighting, which not only utilize less energy, but also last longer.
Siemens Mobility's relationship with MTS began in 1980, with an order for 71 cars of their original high-floor U2 model. This was followed by an order in 1993 for 52 SD100 cars. In 2004, with the passengers in mind, the leadership at MTS started transitioning to a low-floor car system with an order for 11 S70 vehicles. The transition was continued five years later with a larger order for 65 S70 cars, followed by another order for 45 S70 vehicles, which are currently being delivered.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.
