en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 15, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) selected Stadler to supply vehicles for its first light rail line. The ATP Board has approved a fixed-price contract covering the design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of 21 light rail vehicles. The agreement also includes design coordination with the team responsible for developing the broader light rail network and its operations and maintenance facilities.
Stadler was selected through a competitive procurement process, with evaluations considering factors such as technical capability, past experience, personnel qualifications, and design approach. ATP CEO Greg Canally stated that the company is pleased to have Stadler join the Austin light rail team to design a vehicle with unprecedented capabilities in the United States. He noted that today's action demonstrates a commitment to building a light rail system suitable for Austin, and ATP is moving toward its goal of starting construction in 2027. This contract is one of the major procurements finalized in ATP's delivery plan, supporting the project's construction launch in 2027.
The fleet is based on Stadler's CITYLINK platform, a low-floor light rail vehicle already operating on tram-train and light rail networks in Europe. The design selected for Austin will undergo localized adaptations to meet local operational needs.
Each vehicle can accommodate approximately 240 passengers and includes dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, bicycles, luggage, and strollers. Most trains feature a continuous low-floor layout, enabling step-free access within the car and level boarding at platforms. Other features include multiple passenger doors to reduce boarding time, large windows for improved visibility and natural light, and an open interior layout to maximize passenger flow. Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler North America, stated that the company's CITYLINK platform is setting a new benchmark, defining the standard for the next generation of light rail vehicles in the United States. Together with the Austin Transit Partnership, they are helping shape a new era of public transportation in Austin, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
ATP stated that residents will have the opportunity to influence vehicle interior and exterior design elements during the development phase, including color schemes, seating layouts, accessibility features, and passenger information systems. The Board also approved an initial work package valued at $39 million to launch preliminary design activities for the project. Funding comes from existing Proposition A revenue, while the project continues to advance its federal funding application process. The total vehicle contract has a maximum value of $352 million, with future expenditures requiring additional Board approval. The Austin light rail project plans to build a line nearly 10 miles (approximately 16 kilometers) with 15 stations. The fully electric system is expected to operate every five to ten minutes for most of the day and is designed to allow for future network expansion. The Stadler contract follows a series of major procurements for the project, including appointments for project delivery, civil engineering, and systems design, as ATP continues to advance pre-construction preparations.
