Maryland unveils first Purple Line light-rail vehicle

Last week, the Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration unveiled the first Purple Line light-rail vehicle. The line between Prince George's and Montgomery counties is expected to open in winter 2027.

The new Purple Line vehicles are the longest of their kind in the United States, Maryland transportation officials said in a news release. The vehicles are being built by CAF, a rail-car manufacturer based in Spain.

Each vehicle is 142 feet long, carries up to 430 passengers and features seating for 80. The light-rail vehicles have eight bike racks and can accommodate up to eight wheelchairs.

Unlike existing trains that are composed of separate cars, the entire light-rail vehicle is one continuous space. The new vehicles are electric and designed to reduce noise as they travel through communities, state officials said.