The Phoenix, Arizona-based Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority said it has agreed to purchase 14 additional light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility to aid access and the passenger experience.
“Additional light rail fleet supports our mission of connecting communities, especially as we close in on the 2024 completion date of South Central Extension/Downtown Hub,” Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO, said. “As our transit system grows, so must our fleet to accommodate new miles of service and additional riders across metro Phoenix.”
Officials said the S700 light rail vehicles, which are slated to be built at the Siemens Mobility facility in Sacramento, California, are being acquired in the wake of Valley Metro previously ordering 11 light rail trains from the company three years ago.
“Phoenix is currently the fifth-largest city in the U.S. and is continuing to grow steadily,” Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, said. “As urbanization accelerates, sustainable transport systems are becoming more important than ever – and we very much welcome Valley Metro’s decision to expand the city’s public transportation system. Siemens Mobility will deliver light rail trains that provide greater passenger comfort and improved availability.”
Siemens Mobility indicated the trains feature a spacious interior, energy-efficient LED lighting, bicycle storage space, and an air conditioning system ensuring passenger comfort when high outdoor temperatures are encountered.