The vehicle programme for Austin’s first light rail system is moving into preliminary design and integration work following the selection of Stadler to supply the fleet earlier this year.
The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) Board approved Stadler as the vehicle manufacturer in July under a fixed-price contract covering the design, manufacture, testing and delivery of 21 light rail vehicles. The contract has a maximum value of 352 million USD
The latest programme update provides further detail on the work now taking place to integrate the vehicles with the wider light rail system.
The vehicle project team is coordinating the train design with other elements of the planned network, including track, traction power, signalling, station platforms and the Operations and Maintenance Facility.
STV is supporting ATP as vehicle project manager, having assisted with the procurement process and now facilitating the coordination of the vehicle programme with the wider project.
Over the past 18 months, STV says it has supported the preparation of procurement documents, proposal evaluations, manufacturer site visits and stakeholder coordination. The team is now working with ATP, Stadler and the wider design teams on vehicle-system interfaces.
This coordination is intended to establish requirements between the vehicles and infrastructure at an early stage, reducing the potential for redesign as the project progresses.
Stadler CITYLINK Platform
The Austin vehicles will be based on Stadler’s CITYLINK platform, which is already used for light rail and tram-train operations in Europe. The vehicles will be adapted to meet Austin’s operational requirements.
Each vehicle is expected to accommodate approximately 240 passengers. The design includes a predominantly low-floor passenger area, level boarding from station platforms and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, bicycles, luggage and pushchairs.
Multiple passenger doors are planned to support boarding and alighting, while large windows and an open interior layout are intended to improve passenger circulation and visibility.
ATP has also said that members of the public will have opportunities to provide input on elements of the vehicles during the design process, including aspects of the interior and exterior.
Austin Light Rail
Austin Light Rail is planned as an all-electric system covering approximately 10 miles with 15 stations. The route will connect employment centres, educational institutions and other destinations across the Texas capital.
The project is targeting the start of construction in 2027. ATP has already awarded contracts for the wider light rail system and its Operations and Maintenance Facility as it progresses towards delivery.
The vehicle contract with Stadler was one of the major procurements required to establish the system’s core components. The current preliminary design and integration work will develop the vehicles alongside the infrastructure they will operate on.
