8 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Philadelphia, PA Inquirer, 10/26/20:

 

   $5.7M land deal moves SEPTA’s trolley modernization project forward  

 

 

SEPTA’s plan to bring its trolleys into the modern age has taken a small but significant step forward.

 

Full story

[CNJRoss]

Fifth Square PAC

 

Members of Congress: Earmark Funding for Trolley Modernization Today

 

SEPTA’s trolley network is a vital transit lifeline and is critically important to our region’s economic well-being. Unfortunately, the system is slow, mired by delays, unacceptably outdated, and lacks ADA accessibility.

 

  The Philadelphia region deserves reliable, accessible, and frequent trolley service. 

 

We deserve a fully-modernized trolley network that will better serve Southeastern PA as we recover from the pandemic.

We call on Congress to authorize direct financial support for SEPTA’s Trolley Modernization Project. We are also asking SEPTA to prioritize Trolley Modernization and increase their capital budget investment allocation for this important project.

 

Continue here.

 

Fifth Square PAC is a non-partisan political action committee organized within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

[KevinKorell]

WHYY-TV, Channel 12 in Philadelphia, PA, 3/30/21:

 

 

   Primed: New Amazon warehouse derails land deal for SEPTA trolley facility  

 

 

Plans for a new SEPTA trolley barn in Southwest Philadelphia — meant to support a larger overhaul of its aging light rail fleet — are on hold due to a competing proposal from online mega-retailer Amazon to build a new warehouse at the same location.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WHYY-TV, Channel 12 in Philadelphia, PA, 4/6/21:

 

 

   Amazon rebuffs concerns over warehouse that sidelined land deal for SEPTA trolleys  

 

 

Online retailer Amazon appeared for a second and final Civic Design Review meeting Tuesday, offering minimal changes to a proposed warehouse development that incensed some transit advocates by sidelining plans for a new SEPTA trolley depot.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Philadelphia, PA Inquirer, 4/26/21:

 

 

   SEPTA says it will forge ahead with trolley modernization in ambitious capital budget    

 

 

SEPTA proposes spending $203 million over the next 12 years to modernize its trolley system, a project recently dealt a setback when Amazon snagged a Southwest Philadelphia property the transit agency was trying to buy for the new fleet.

 

Here is the latest.

[CNJRoss]

SEPTA news release

 

SEPTA BOARD AWARDS CONTRACT FOR

PURCHASE OF NEW TROLLEY FLEET

 

Major Milestone for Trolley Modernization Program that will Deliver Full Accessibility for Customers

 

Published  February 23, 2023

 

PHILADELPHIA (February 23, 2023) – SEPTA today awarded a contract to Alstom Transportation Inc. for the purchase of modern, fully ADA-compliant trolley vehicles to replace the Authority’s entire aging fleet of trolleys. This represents a major step forward for Trolley Modernization – SEPTA’s program to transform the nation’s largest trolley network into an accessible, fast, and easy-to-use system.

 

“Trolley Modernization poses economic benefits for both riders and the region at large,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “This project will strengthen existing connections by improving transit services that link workers to jobs, students to schools, and diverse communities to each other – supporting local businesses and an affordable cost-of-living for everyone.”

 

Trolley Modernization is a core component of SEPTA Forward, the Authority’s Strategic Plan, to create a “lifestyle transit network” – a transit system that can be easily used for any type of trip, not just traditional 9-to-5 commutes to work.

 

Under the contract, SEPTA will receive 130 trolleys, with the option to order up to 30 additional vehicles. The total contract amount for the base order is $714,239,455. Delivery of the new trolleys is scheduled to begin in 2027 with full fleet delivery by the end of 2030.

 

The new trolleys will be longer and have higher capacity to move more passengers. The fleet will feature low floors and ramps; wider pathways; audio and visual messaging systems to communicate upcoming stops and service changes; and designated open space for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and bicycles.

 

“SEPTA is committed to ensuring our trolleys meet the needs of all riders – people with disabilities, seniors, families with small children, new users, and anyone who needs a little more help to get where they are going,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “SEPTA is still seeking over $800 million in competitive grants, and state and local funding, to make all the improvements necessary for seamless boarding. We are doing everything we can to move this project forward, but we need to secure new options for funding to leverage the once-in-a-generation infusion of federal dollars.”

 

Together, SEPTA’s eight trolley lines run for 68 miles and connect communities in West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and Delaware County directly with the region’s two largest employment and healthcare centers, Center City and University City. The current trolley vehicles have served riders since the early 1980s.

 

SEPTA is building on-street stations to serve the new trolleys and rebuilding underground stations to be fully accessible. The Authority is also making significant operational and infrastructure improvements and extending some trolley lines to key locations to make connections to other SEPTA services easier. SEPTA is working on new and improved maintenance facilities to serve the new fleet.

 

Funding for Trolley Modernization comes from SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget and 12-Year Program. In addition to Trolley Modernization, this Capital Program advances several other SEPTA Forward initiatives, such as Bus Revolution, King of Prussia Rail, station accessibility, and rail fleet replacements. These projects work together to promote and strengthen regional growth and connect people with opportunity.

 

For more information about Trolley Modernization, visit planning.septa.org/projects/trolley-modernization/about/. For more information about SEPTA, visit septa.org, follow @SEPTA on Twitter, or download the official SEPTA app.

 

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[KevinKorell]

Railway Technology,  6/2/23:

 

 

    SEPTA awards Alstom $718m contract    

 

 

French-based rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has been contracted to deliver 130 complete low-floor electric streetcars worth approximately €667m ($718m) to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Philadelphia Magazine, 6/20/24

 

Check Out SEPTA’s Sexy New Trolley Design

 

The new SEPTA trolley design (rendering courtesy Alstom)

 

Everybody has been talking about SEPTA’s Route 15 trolleys, the newly restored 1940s-era trolleys that just reappeared along Girard Avenue. And those are cool. Historic. But I just got a peek at the design for the next iteration of SEPTA trolleys. And they look sexy. Or at least sexy for SEPTA. (The bar is low.)    

 

The renderings of the new SEPTA trolley design come courtesy of Alstom, the French company tasked with building the new SEPTA trolleys. Alstom says it will deliver the new trolleys to SEPTA by 2027, and they are expected to eventually replace all SEPTA trolleys — both city and suburban lines.

 

 

Continue here.  

[CNJRoss]

Alstom press release, 6/1/24

Alstom selected by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to deliver 130 low floor electric Citadis light rail vehicles

 

Base order valued at €667 million, with options for 30 additional vehicles

 

The Citadis 100% full low floor design will deliver universal accessibility for all passengers  

 

Modern vehicles maximise capacity and reduce energy consumption

 

 

1 June 2023 – Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a contract with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), to deliver 130 full low floor electric streetcars valued at over €667 million (approximately USD$ 718.2 million), with options to build an additional 30 streetcars. The agreement calls for the delivery of fully customised, sustainable, next-generation Citadis light rail vehicles (LRVs) specifically designed for North America and made to navigate the historic streets of Philadelphia.

 

The new Citadis streetcars will provide an energy-efficient mobility solution that utilises state-of-the-art, service-proven traction technology and offers a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to a standard light rail solution. Additionally, energy efficiency is achieved by integrating LED lights and sensor-based air-conditioning, and each vehicle is 99% recyclable at the end of its 30-year lifespan.

 

 

130 low floor electric Citadis light rail vehicles

99% Each vehicle is 99% recyclable at the end of its 30-year lifespan

>€667 million Base order valued at over €667 million, with options for 30 additional vehicles

 

Michael Keroullé

“We are proud to be selected by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build and supply 130 next-generation LRVs. The new Citadis streetcars will bring more efficient accessible and equitable service to the people of Philadelphia’s metropolis.”

President and CEO, Alstom Americas

 

The cars will feature 100 percent full low floors with wider aisles to facilitate passenger movement and accessibility, ramps at all doors for disabled access, audio and visual messaging systems to inform and communicate upcoming stops and service changes to passengers and metro-style seating  characterised by flexible interiors that accommodate larger items while adjusting to capacity, demand and need, as well as designated spaces for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and bicycles. The new streetcars will also help SEPTA provide a faster and more reliable service that carries more passengers, uses less energy, reaches more destinations, and above all, provides equitable service for everyone.

 

“We are proud to be selected by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build and supply 130 next-generation LRVs,” said Michael Keroullé, President, Alstom Americas. “The new Citadis streetcars will bring more efficient accessible and equitable service to the people of Philadelphia’s metropolis, as they will replace the existing SEPTA fleet that dates from the 80’s. We are thrilled with the opportunity to serve over 80,000 daily riders with a more accessible, comfortable, and modern experience.”

 

SEPTA’s seven trolley lines run for 68 miles and connect communities in west, southwest and north Philadelphia and Delaware County directly with the region’s two largest employment and healthcare centres, Center City and University City. The current trolley vehicles have served riders since the early 1980s.

 

The streetcars will be manufactured in the United States, at Alstom’s Hornell facility in upstate New York, which has years of proven experience and the established capabilities necessary to meet “Buy America” requirements. Alstom has invested extensively in the Hornell site over the past few years, including the construction of a stainless-steel car body shell manufacturing facility to localise car body shell production, which will provide greater quality control over the entire production process for SEPTA. Additionally, Alstom will manufacture the advanced propulsion system for the streetcars at its North American centre of excellence for advanced propulsion technology research and development and engineering in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

 

Alstom’s Citadis range of low-floor trams and light rail vehicles offers modern and energy-efficient transportation for cities. With a wide variety of solutions for catenary-free operation, Citadis products are especially suited for new lines and urban renewal projects. Since the first tram entered service in 2000, Citadis trams have covered over 1 billion kilometres and transported 10 billion passengers. More than 3,000 Citadis vehicles have been ordered or are already in successful revenue service in 70 cities – including Paris, Nice, Caen, Nantes, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, Dublin, Barcelona, Athens, Dubai, Lusail, Casablanca and Sydney – in more than 20 countries.

 

Alstom™ and Citadis™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.