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Siemens Transportation Systems Inc. recently received orders for light-rail vehicles (LRVs) totaling more than $95 million from transit agencies in St. Louis, Houston and San Diego.



St Louis’ Bi-State Development Agency awarded Siemens a contract for 22 new SD460 LRVs for use in MetroLink’s expansion into St. Louis County. The nine-year-old system uses 31 SD400s and 34 SD460s, which accommodate 72 seated passengers and 106 standees. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2004.



Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, ordered three S70s to supplement the agency’s original 15-LRV order. Metro currently is building its 7.5-mile starter line, which is expected to begin revenue service in 2004. The S70 LRVs, which are 70 percent low-floor vehicles, are designed to carry more than 200 passengers at 66 mph.



Eleven similar-design vehicles have been ordered by San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit Development Board for use on the agency’s San Diego Trolley system. These S70s differ from Houston’s fleet in terms of vehicle length and passenger loading. MTDB’s LRVs will be designed to operate in conjunction with existing Siemens vehicles on the agency’s Mission Valley East extension, which is scheduled to open in late 2004.