SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 23, 2024) — The Utah Transit Authority Board of Trustees approved a contract today for up to 80 new light rail vehicles as part of the agency’s TRAX Modernization project to upgrade and expand service over the next decade. Stadler, a global leader in the design and manufacture of passenger trains, was selected by UTA through competitive procurement and will build the vehicles at its Salt Lake City-based U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility.
“After a competitive and comprehensive procurement process, Stadler was selected for UTA’s next generation of TRAX vehicles, offering a low-floor, all-accessible boarding that will comfortably carry more passengers than our current fleet,” said UTA Executive Director Jay Fox. “The location of Stadler’s manufacturing facility in Utah provides a unique opportunity for UTA to work directly with our equipment supplier and fast track adjustments that develop throughout the build process. With a 25-year-old TRAX system and ridership already up 17% this year systemwide, these new vehicles will help UTA modernize and expand its light rail system for generations to come.”
The initial $129 million contract is for 20 new Stadler Citylink light rail cars and funded, in part, by a Federal Transit Administration grant. Pending additional funding, the contract includes options for 60 additional vehicles, all built in accordance with federal Buy America requirements. The Citylink light rail vehicle is Stadler’s most innovative, customer-focused and service-proven light rail vehicle. More than 800 units of this low-vibration vehicle type have been sold in various countries across Europe since 2003. The UTA order is Stadler’s first U.S. light rail contract and the first large Citylink order outside of the European continent.
“Salt Lake City is our home in the U.S., and the opportunity to build trains for our community is a massive honor. Most of our workforce and their families live in and around Salt Lake City and will ride these new trains, so the excitement can be felt throughout our entire facility today. We are thrilled to partner with UTA as they modernize their TRAX network to provide a state-of-the-art public transit system built by Utahns for Utahns,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US Inc.
Stadler established its U.S. headquarters in Salt Lake City in 2016 when the company expanded to North America from Europe. Stadler now employs more than 500 people at its Salt Lake City manufacturing facility and employment will continue to grow as Stadler expands to meet market demands across the country.
Learn more about UTA TRAX Modernization projects, including the creation of a TRAX Orange Line and all-accessible vehicle boarding, at rideuta.com and the Future of Light Rail Study.
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