Photo: Siemens liefert Elektrolokomotiven für US-Bundesstaat Pennsylvania / Siemens to build electric locomotives for U.S. State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia trains to feed energy back into grid
11 November 2015
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, operator of regional and mass transit networks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has confirmed that it has awarded engineering company Siemens a US$118 million contract for 13 new electric trains.
“We are looking forward to the arrival [of the trains] to help provide a faster and more reliable rail service for our rapidly growing ridership,” said Jeff Knueppel, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority General Manager.
In addition to faster operating times for services, the energy efficient trains will make use of new microprocessor systems that will regulate energy consumption and will also draw on regenerative braking technologies in order to feed unused energy back into local power grids.
The new trains are the first of several vehicle purchases being made as part of the city’s ‘Rebuilding for the Future’ programme, and have been designed in line with the latest federal rail safety regulations. This is seen as essential given that the transport authority serves 4 million people across a network that includes bus, subway, elevated rail, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus.
Established in 1964, the transport authority has placed a strong emphasis on modernisation alongside a number of legacy stations and infrastructure, and the new trains will replace the region’s ageing fleet and increase capacity.
“The new [trains] are designed [to] improve reliability and maintenance [as well as] turnaround times,” explained Jochen Eickholt, Chief Executive at Siemens Mobility Division. “We are confident that these new electric locomotives will enhance mobility for the people, businesses, and economy of the Philadelphia region.”
Delivery of the trains is expected to offer a welcome boost to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s services, which are integral to the sixth largest rapid transit system in the US by ridership, and the fifth largest overall.
The authority also controls 290 active stations, over 724 kilometres of track, 2,295 revenue vehicles and 196 routes. It is also one of only two US transit authorities to operate all major transit vehicles, the other being Massachusetts in Boston.
