Siemens to Replace GCRTA Red Line Fleet

THE GREATER CLEVELAND Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has selected Siemens Mobility to replace its Red Line fleet with 24 S200 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs). The contract includes an option for up to 36 additional vehicles, which would replace the agency’s Blue and Green Line fleet. GCRTA’s current heavy and light rail fleets are 39 and 42 years old, exceeding the design life of typical passenger rail cars.

“These new LRVs are catalytic for the health and economics of Greater Cleveland. They will promote increased ridership and encourage transit-oriented development along the Red Line communities from East Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport,” said India L. Birdsong Terry, GCRTA general manager and chief executive officer.

This achievement was made possible by support from Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and Ohio DOT. GCRTA received a grant of $130 million from FTA through the FY22/23 Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided our customers the opportunity to make necessary updates to their cities’ infrastructure,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock in North America. “We are grateful to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority for selecting us as their partner as they continue to enhance their community with reliable, safe and sustainable transportation.”

The new, high-floor S200 LRVs feature two door heights for high- and low-level platform accessibility, allowing the trains to operate on both Red Line and Blue and Green Line tracks. The vehicles feature 52 easy-to-clean seats, additional standing room, four wheelchair areas, two bicycle racks and an advanced infotainment system. They will be built to withstand the coldest Cleveland weather, with ice-cutting technology and a modern operator cab area with a dedicated HVAC unit, heated windshield and enhanced visibility.

Delivery of the new S200 LRVs is scheduled to be completed in four years.