Alstom announced it has signed a contract with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to deliver 130 full low-floor electric streetcars valued at over $718.2 million, with options to build an additional 30 streetcars.

The agreement calls for the delivery of fully customized, sustainable, next-generation Citadis light-rail vehicles (LRVs) specifically designed for North America and made to navigate the streets of Philadelphia.

What the Citadis Streetcars Provide

The new Citadis streetcars will provide an energy-efficient mobility solution that utilizes traction technology and offers a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to a standard light-rail solution.

Additionally, energy efficiency is achieved by integrating LED lights and sensor-based air-conditioning, and each vehicle is 99% recyclable at the end of its 30-year lifespan.

The cars will feature 100% full low floors with wider aisles to facilitate passenger movement and accessibility, ramps at all doors for disabled access, audio and visual messaging systems to inform and communicate upcoming stops and service changes to passengers, and metro-style seating.

The new streetcars will also help SEPTA provide a faster and more reliable service that carries more passengers, uses less energy, reaches more destinations, and more.

“We are proud to be selected by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build and supply 130 next-generation LRVs,” said Michael Keroullé, president, Alstom Americas. “The new Citadis streetcars will bring more efficient accessible and equitable service to the people of Philadelphia’s metropolis, as they will replace the existing SEPTA fleet that dates from the 80s. We are thrilled with the opportunity to serve over 80,000 daily riders with a more accessible, comfortable, and modern experience.”

More on the Alstom Streetcars

The streetcars will be manufactured in the U.S., at Alstom’s Hornell facility in upstate New York.

Alstom has invested extensively in the Hornell site over the past few years, including the construction of a stainless-steel car body shell manufacturing facility to localize car body shell production.

Additionally, Alstom will manufacture the advanced propulsion system for the streetcars at its North American center of excellence for advanced propulsion technology research and development and engineering in West Mifflin, Pa.