• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Siemens Transportation Systems Delivers Charlotte's First Light Rail Vehicle; The First Siemens S70 LRV Heads East

Posted on: Monday, 12 June 2006, 12:00 CDT

Siemens Transportation Systems Inc. (STS) shipped the first of 16 S70 light rail vehicles for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue line rapid transit services. The vehicle will operate on the South region's first light rail line, an approximately ten mile line extending from central Charlotte to the Interstate 485 expressway, parallel to South Boulevard. The vehicle left Sacramento headed for Los Angeles and eastward through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee to its final destination, Charlotte, North Carolina.

"As fuel prices continue to spur heavy discussion about building comprehensive transportation systems, cities will need to offer more choices for continued economic growth," stated Oliver Hauck, president and CEO of Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. "Charlotte's plans for more transit alternatives will help ensure successful growth and protect the quality of life for its citizens. The arrival of our S70 light rail vehicles advances the city's efforts in building a more balanced transportation solution."

The S70, Siemens' highly successful 70% low-floor light rail vehicle, is capable of speeds up to 65 miles per hour and boasts enhanced safety and comfort. Featuring room for 236 passengers (AW3) with wheelchair accommodations, the S70 also allows for easy accessibility for all passengers, including those with special mobility needs. The car shells are constructed of low-alloy, high-tensile (LAHT) steel with a composite fiberglass covering. This modern construction method produces a higher structural efficiency and reduces energy consumption during operation. Siemens' Sacramento, California, newly expanded manufacturing facility constructed the car shell and completed the final vehicle assembly. The S70 LRV is currently in use in Houston, Texas, and San Diego, California.

About Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. (U.S.)

Siemens Transportation Systems (STS) is the number one supplier of light rail vehicles in North America with more than 800 light-rail vehicles ordered in the U.S. and Canada. STS' product portfolio includes traction electrification, rail automation, rolling stock and integrated services for the North American public transportation and rail industry. With the only permanent U.S. light rail manufacturing facility on U.S. soil, STS provides innovative, safe and reliable transportation solutions. Offices are located in Sacramento, CA (HQ), Lake Oswego, OR, New York, NY and Minneapolis, MN. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com/transportation.

About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Founded nearly 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Thirteen of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 460,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category