Calgary Transit unveils new Siemens S200 light rail vehicle

Calgary has awarded Siemens an order to supply 60 S200 light rail vehicles, worth more than 135 million Euros. The LRVs will be built at the Siemens factory in Sacramento, USA and are due to be delivered starting in summer 2015. The full order is to be completed by December 2016. This is the first order for the new light rail generation from Siemens. The vehicles have been designed especially for the harsh climate conditions typical for Canada.

Calgary Transit unveiled the first of its new Siemens S200 light rail vehicles today at its Oliver Bowen Maintenance Facility.

Siemens will be delivering a total of 63 S200 vehicles for the Calgary Transit light rail system as part of a contract announced in September 2013. Calgary Transit expects the new vehicles to begin operation this spring.

"Siemens has provided Calgary with its entire light rail fleet of vehicles since 1981 and we're excited to look towards the future with the introduction of the new S200 light rail vehicle," says Patrick O'Neill, Vice President, Mobility, Siemens Canada Limited. "Calgary Transit runs one of North America's largest light rail systems and we're honoured to collaborate with them to provide Calgarians with the latest technologies that will improve the riders' experience, operation and maintenance, and overall mobility in and around Calgary."

The vehicles were designed and manufactured by Siemens based on direct input from the riding public and Calgary Transit. Siemens has provided trains to Calgary Transit for more than 30 years and employed bold new thinking and intensive collaboration with the customer to design the best possible vehicle.

Siemens designed the light rail vehicles specifically to withstand the challenging Calgary environment by including heated, slip-resistant flooring, thermal insulated walls, triple-pane windows with low solar transmittance and forced air heating and cooling system providing a comfortable passenger environment in all weather conditions. The vehicles are fitted with the most advanced corrosion protection coatings available in the industry to protect them from the elements.

In true Canadian fashion, the exterior look of the S200 vehicles is inspired by the Calgary Flames goalie mask, a design chosen from among three by an online public vote held by Calgary Transit.

The vehicles were also designed with passenger safety top of mind and are equipped with on-board security systems, GPS mapping displays, a roomy open design and larger windows to increase natural light and provide visual security. Green and red LED indicator lights inside the door frames also warn passengers when doors open and close.

An "infotainment" system provides route information and news updates. Back-up power systems and improved communication and diagnostics systems improve reliability and ensure issues are resolved promptly. The S200 vehicles are fully compliant with the City of Calgary's Access Design Standards, providing barrier-free access at all vehicle doors and making them easily accessible for passengers with disabilities and those pushing strollers or transporting bicycles or bulky objects.

Calgary's current light rail system includes 82 Siemens U2 vehicles and 110 Siemens SD vehicles that have kept the city moving for more than three decades.

For more information, visit www.siemens.ca.