CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is prepared to have Siemens Mobility build new railcars to replace its Red Line rapid-transit fleet — but is not yet sure it has the funding to order the equipment.
Cleveland.com reports the RTA Board of Trustees, in a committee of the whole, voted to advance a $164 million contract for Siemens to build 24 cars for the Red Line in the next four years. The purchase will be discussed again in committee April 10, then move to the full board for approval April 18.
But the RTA is still about $7 million short of the funding needed for that order, which is the first part of an estimated $393 million to replace the entire RTA railcar fleet.
The cars’ preliminary design includes fewer seats than those they will replace — 52 instead of 84 — but will include better wheelcar access, bike racks, and other improvements. Final design features will be finalized in a 15-month period after the contract is signed.
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