Hitachi Rail to Upgrade San Francisco’s Muni Railway Signalling System

Hitachi Rail has secured a contract with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to modernise the signalling system for the city’s Muni transit network.

The upgrade will involve implementing advanced train control technology across the 71-mile, 33-station network, which serves approximately 160 million passenger journeys per year.

Hitachi Rail will deploy its SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology to regulate train movements more efficiently across both surface and subway sections of the network. The upgrade aims to enhance service capacity, improve performance, and support future growth.

The contract also includes a 10-year service support agreement, with an option for an additional 10 years.

CBTC technology uses wireless communication between trains and infrastructure to improve operational efficiency and safety. By enabling trains to run closer together, the system is expected to increase network capacity and improve reliability.

The Muni system operates a variety of vehicles, including cable cars, streetcars, and light rail services, functioning both at street level and through underground subway connections. The Train Control Upgrade Project will ensure modern train control technology is applied across the entire fleet, including these historic vehicles.

Ziad Rizk, Director of Urban Rail Signalling at Hitachi Rail, said:

Moderniaing the Muni network of light rail Metro trains and historic streetcars with an industry leading signalling technology is an important step for the city of San Francisco. Hitachi Rail looks forward to expanding our long-standing partnership with the SFMTA, by delivering our SelTrac™ CBTC technology to enhance mobility, sustainability, and passenger experience.

At present, the Muni Metro’s automatic train control system (ATCS) runs on technology dating back to the 1980s and is prone to equipment failures that result in delays.

To modernise the network, CBTC signalling will maintain constant communication with all trains in the rail network, including those in the subway and on the street.

In addition, the new technology will automatically push software updates to keep the system current, without relying on floppy disks.

The train control upgrade project is scheduled for completion in 2032.