Federal regulators prompted SEPTA to take the Silverliner IV fleet out of the fleet after several fires prompted severe safety concerns and underscored the imperative for accelerated modernization and spending on replacement cars.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Silverliner IV safety concerns force urgent SEPTA action
Photo: COMMONWEALTH MEDIA SERVICES

NTSB call for suspension of Silverliner IV operation

National Transportation Safety Board reported five this year fires on Silverliner IV cars. Each incident made passengers evacuate the cars, and some of them got significantly damaged. The investigators linked issues with the traction motors, brakes, and propulsion system.

Don’t miss…Sweden railways to receive €45.4 billion in investments

Because the Silverliner IV fleet was built in the 1970s, aging designs now create unacceptable hazards. NTSB stressed that safety cannot wait. So, SEPTA must act quickly to prevent further incidents and restore public trust.

SEPTA confronts billion dollar Silverliner IV replacement

SEPTA had estimated replacing all 230 Silverliner IV cars would take almost $1 billion. Officials also indicated the purchase, design, and building schedule might hold off complete replacement until 2036, placing long-term safety and fiscal strain.

Officials acknowledged the money is long overdue but made it clear the work could not wait. Soaring costs make the project harder but replacing the aging fleets is imperative for the safety of commuters, enhancing reliability, and boosting the credibility of using mass transport.

Experts comment this alert reveals deeper issue throughout the American transit network. Aging vehicle fleets, tight finances, as well as safety potential, call for bold decisions. SEPTA can renovate operations by speeding up spending, but holdups could embroil more risk for riders as well as image due to the fact that safety precedes costs.

Source: www.spotlightpa.org

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Stadler introduced the first narrow-gauge battery train in Europe

What was the Silverliner IV and why was it problematic?

Silverliner IV was an electric railcar constructed in the 1970s. Blazes attributed to aged electric equipment led federal regulators to issue recalls and urgent replacements.

What will it take SEPTA financially to replace the Silverliner IV fleet?

SEPTA estimates at about $1 billion for complete rebuilding. It involves design, procurement, as well as construction, potentially going on until 2036.

Can’t SEPTA retrofit the Silverliner IV cars instead of replacing them?

NTSB recommended retrofits for newer-style fire safety systems, but the agency acknowledged replacements long overdue. Additional details may be found on SEPTA’s official web page.

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit