Stadler plant in SLC contracts to build up to 80 TRAX light rail cars

Utah Transit Authority has contracted with Swiss railway equipment manufacturer Stadler to make up to 80 rail cars
for the TRAX light rail line in Salt Lake City. The design of the cars, shown here, features a lower floor
for easy access for handi11-11-24capped passengers.

Stadler, a global designer and manufacturer of passenger trains with U.S. headquarters in Salt Lake City, and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) have signed a contract for up to 80 new light rail vehicles tailored for the UTA’s TRAX service in and around Salt Lake City. Stadler is set to build the vehicles at its Salt Lake City manufacturing site. This is Stadler’s first large light rail contract in North America and the first serial contract in Utah.

The UTA board of trustees approved the contract as part of the agency’s TRAX Modernization project to upgrade and expand service over the next decade. Stadler was selected by UTA through a competitive procurement process.

“After a competitive and comprehensive procurement process, Stadler was selected for UTA’s next generation of TRAX vehicles, offering a low-floor, all-accessible boarding that will comfortably carry 14 percent more passengers than our current fleet,” said UTA Executive Director Jay Fox. “The location of Stadler’s manufacturing facility in Utah provides a unique opportunity for UTA to work directly with our equipment supplier and fast-track adjustments that develop throughout the build process. With a 25-year-old TRAX system and ridership already up 17 percent this year systemwide, these new vehicles will help UTA modernize and expand its light rail system for generations to come.”

The initial $129 million contract is for 20 new Stadler Citylink light rail cars and is funded, in part, by a Federal Transit Administration grant. Pending additional funding, it includes options for 60 additional vehicles, all built in accordance with federal Buy America requirements. The Citylink light rail vehicle can be modified to meet customers’ needs and requirements and offers maximum accessibility in part due to its low-floor design. This makes the vehicle Stadler’s most innovative, customer-focused and service-proven light rail solution, UTA said. More than 800 units of this low-vibration vehicle type have been sold in various countries across Europe since 2003.

“Building streetcars for Salt Lake City is another milestone for Stadler. The UTA order is the first light rail order in the United States for Stadler and the first large Citylink order outside the European continent. We are convinced that the Citylink will be well-received by customers here,” said Stadler CEO Markus Bernsteiner.

“Salt Lake City is our home in the U.S., and the opportunity to build trains for our community is a massive honor,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US Inc. “Most of our workforce and their families live in and around Salt Lake City and will ride these new trains, so the excitement can be felt throughout our entire facility today. We are thrilled to partner with UTA as they modernize their TRAX network to provide a state-of-the-art public transit system built by Utahns for Utahns.”

Stadler established its U.S. headquarters in Salt Lake City in 2016 when the company expanded to North America from Europe. Stadler now employs more than 500 people at its Salt Lake manufacturing facility and the company said employment will continue to grow as Stadler expands to meet market demands across the country.