Stadler Wins Contract to Supply Light Rail Vehicles to Salt Lake City
The UTA’s Board of Trustees approved the order as part of the agency’s TRAX Modernization project that will see services be improved and expanded over the next ten years. Following a competitive procurement process, Stadler was chosen to build the trains at its US headquarters and manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City.
Stadler has won a contract to supply up to 80 new light rail vehicles for Salt Lake City.
This deal is the first light rail vehicle order for Stadler from the United States.
Signed with Utah Transit Authority (UTA) on 23 October 2024, the new vehicles will run on UTA’s TRAX service that operates all around Salt Lake City.
The UTA’s Board of Trustees approved the order as part of the agency’s TRAX Modernization project that will see services be improved and expanded over the next ten years. Following a competitive procurement process, Stadler was chosen to build the trains at its US headquarters and manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City.
UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said:
“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% more passengers than our current fleet.
“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% this year systemwide, these new vehicles will help UTA modernize and expand its light rail system for generations to come.”
The initial 129 million USD contract is for 20 Stadler Citylink light rail cars. It is part-funded by a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant. Pending further funding, the contract also includes an option for 60 additional vehicles, with the requirement to fulfil the federal Buy America rules.
Stadler has sold more than 800 of its Citylink vehicles to various countries across Europe since 2003.
Stadler CEO Markus Bernsteiner said:
“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.”
Stadler established its US headquarters in Salt Lake City in 2016, where it now employs more than 500 people.
Martin Ritter, CEO Stadler US Inc., said:
“Salt Lake City is our home in the U.S., and the opportunity to build trains for our community is a massive honor. 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.”
