A New Stage in the Development of Public Transport in Omaha: Delivery of CAF Trams

In Omaha, the largest city in the state of Nebraska with a population of about half a million people, an important project to modernize the urban transport system has begun, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Omaha Streetcar agency signed a contract with the Spanish company CAF worth around 50 million euros for the supply of six three-section low-floor trams of the Urbos model, as well as equipment and tools for the depot.

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The contract includes the option to order an additional 29 units of rolling stock.

The new tram line, which will connect the city center with the Blackstone district, will become an important element of the city’s infrastructure.

The line will stretch for 5 kilometers and will include 16 stops. The opening is scheduled for 2027.

The construction cost is estimated at $389 million, and the modernization of utilities and road infrastructure will require another $70 million.

A feature of the new CAF trams is their ability to operate on both sections with overhead lines and on autonomous sections of the track.

This is achieved through the use of on-board energy storage devices, making the trams more versatile and environmentally friendly.

Notably, these are the first CAF trams for the USA equipped with such storage devices.

The history of tram traffic in Omaha dates back to 1868. By 1890, the length of the tram network had reached 140 kilometers.

However, in 1955 the trams were replaced by buses. The return of trams symbolizes a new phase in the development of public transport in the city, focusing on sustainable development and convenience for residents.

CAF, which has been present in the US market since 1998, has already established itself as a reliable supplier of urban rail transport in cities such as Kansas City, Cincinnati, Houston, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, and Boston.

The company’s production facilities are located in the city of Elmira, New York, ensuring prompt contract execution and customer support.

The project to build a new tram line in Omaha aims to improve transport accessibility and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Free rides on the new route will be an additional incentive for using public transport, reducing the load on roads and contributing to an improved environmental situation in the city.

Thus, the new tram line in Omaha will not only provide convenient communication between different parts of the city but will also become a symbol of sustainable development and modernization of urban infrastructure.

Photo: Wikipedia

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