Austin Light Rail Vehicles Contract Goes to Stadler

Austin light rail vehicles will come from Stadler under a contract covering 21 CITYLINK trains, with Austin Transit Partnership targeting construction of its first line in 2027.

Austin light rail vehicles bring low-floor CITYLINK design

Austin Transit Partnership selected Stadler on July 15⁠ after a competitive procurement process. The fixed-price agreement covers design coordination, manufacturing, testing and delivery, while linking the vehicle programme with work on the wider system and its operations and maintenance facility. 

The ATP Board authorised an initial $39 million work package for preliminary design using existing Proposition A revenues. Further expenditure will require additional board approval, and the total contract value cannot exceed $352 million. Stadler’s agreement also includes options for 19 additional trains as Austin expands the network.

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The five-car CITYLINK units will accommodate around 240 passengers. Stadler says⁠ the design will provide fully low-floor aisles, level boarding and ADA-compliant areas, together with flexible spaces for wheelchairs, bicycles, luggage and strollers. The vehicles will also use multiple doors, large windows and open interiors to improve passenger circulation. 

ATP CEO Greg Canally said:

“ATP is excited to have Stadler join the Austin Light Rail team to design a vehicle with features never before delivered in the United States.” 

Austin light rail vehicles support an expandable network

Stadler will assemble the trains at its factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. The manufacturer says the vehicles will be capable of speeds up to 65 mph outside Austin’s city centre and will combine street-running access with higher-performance operation.

Austin’s initial light rail phase is planned as a nearly 10-mile all-electric route with 15 stations and trains every five to ten minutes for most of the day. The line will connect central Austin, the University of Texas area, South Congress and East Riverside, while preserving the possibility of a future airport extension.

ATP expects construction to begin in 2027. ATP’s current delivery plan⁠ schedules the opening for passenger service in 2033, subject to continued design, construction and federal funding progress.