Siemens Secures $390M MTA Contract for Massive 65-Kilometre Subway Overhaul

Fulton-Liberty Lines modernisation will be carried out under a nearly $390 million contract. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded it to Siemens Mobility. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to Siemens Mobility, the work covers century-old infrastructure in Brooklyn and Queens. It includes 23 stations across a 65-track-kilometre section. Siemens Mobility will carry out the installation of Advanced Communications-Based Train Control technology. It will work with L.K. Comstock on that installation. The electrical contractor specialises in rail transit systems. The agreement also includes a 25-year maintenance contract. It has options for two additional five-year extensions.

Siemens Mobility to install CBTC technology

The modernisation will use Siemens’ Advanced Communications-Based Train Control technology and its Trainguard MT system. The system is intended to allow trains to operate at intervals of 90 seconds. It will integrate interlocking and train control functions. Also, it will use 5G-based wireless communication, increase capacity and reduce waiting times. It is also designed to support future demand.

Trainguard MT will connect nine subway interlockings across two separate subway lines. At the same time, outdated track circuits will be replaced with axle counter technology. Meanwhile, 5G-based radio communications will provide real-time, optimised train control.

New York subway network works and 5G service

The new Train Control System will replace the existing signalling and associated equipment. In addition, the contract places signalling renewal, switch-machine works and new train control rooms within the same scope.

The works also require:
• installation and replacement of 24 new Special Work Portions;
• installation and replacement of 94 switch machines;
• construction of four new train control rooms.

Also, a distributed antenna system in the underground tunnels will provide commuters with 5G cellular service. It will allow continuous connectivity between stations.

Separately, in 2024, Siemens secured a contract to upgrade Copenhagen’s S-bane network. It covered all 170 kilometres of the network. The work was to allow operation by unattended trains.

Meanwhile, Stadler is also developing Advanced Communications-Based Train Control technology. It has recently installed communication-based train control in Basel, Switzerland.

Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: “Modernising the Fulton-Liberty Lines is not just a technological milestone — it’s a commitment to delivering a better, more efficient, and frequent travel experience for millions of New Yorkers. With Siemens Mobility’s next-generation CBTC system, Trainguard MT, we have the power to enhance on-time performance and reduce train intervals to as little as 90 seconds, ensuring faster, more reliable service across the Fulton-Liberty Lines. We are grateful to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its trust in Siemens Mobility to help shape the future of sustainable and efficient urban transit in New York.”

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