SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Transit Authority has doubled its order for new Stadler light rail vehicles, exercising an option for 20 of the company’s Citylink trainsets.
The original order for 20 of the light rail vehicles — the first Stadler light rail equipment to be ordered in the U.S. — was placed last October [see “Stadler to build …,” Trains.com, Oct. 23, 2024]. That $129 million contract, partially funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant, included options for up to 60 additional trainsets. The equipment for UTA’s TRAX light rail system will be built at Stadler’s plant in Salt Lake City.
“UTA’s decision to expand its fleet with additional Stadler trains reflects the strength of our local partnership,” Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US Inc, said in a press release. “These vehicles represent a new era of modern, forward-thinking infrastructure and contribute to Salt Lake City’s vision of becoming a leader in urban transit innovation.”
More than 800 of the Citylink trainsets have been sold in Europe since 2003. The UTA order is part of the agency’s TRAX Forward program, which includes expanded service hours, a realignment of the Orange and Red Lines, and extension of the S Line streetcar.
“Stadler’s Utah-based facility gives us the rare advantage of working directly with our manufacturer to refine and optimize vehicle performance during production,” said UTA Executive Director Jay Fox. “These low-floor, fully accessible TRAX cars will enhance the customer experience, improve comfort, and support our growing ridership. As we look ahead to the future of TRAX, these new vehicles position UTA to serve Utah’s expanding communities for many years to come.”
The announcement does not indicate a delivery date for the new equipment.
