About this Project
Project Overview:
The project, with a budget of $450 million, aims to replace GCRTA's 40 heavy railcars and 34 light railcars with 60 common railcars that can operate on both heavy and light rail systems. This approach will reduce the number of railcars needed and simplify maintenance. The new railcars will be safer, more reliable, technologically advanced, and will have a lower life-cycle cost. They are expected to serve the community for over 30 years and potentially increase ridership and stimulate transit-oriented development along the 33-mile rail system.
Current Railcars:
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is currently using heavy and light railcars that are 39 and 42 years old, respectively. These railcars are beyond their expected lifespan, leading to increased maintenance time and costs. Finding replacement parts is challenging due to their age, and the technology in these railcars is outdated.
Frequently Ask Questions:
Project Budget & Funding
Railcar Specifics
Service, Usage, and Accessibility
Old Fleet
Other
Progress and Milestones
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Hatch begins designing with specscompleted
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Siemens Mobility awarded railcar manufacturer
Base Order of 24 vehicles
completed -
Board approved exercising Option Order #01 for 6 additional vehicles
Brings the total order to 30 cars
completed -
Manufacturing for Car #01 beginscompleted
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Board approved exercising Option Order #02 for 18 additional vehicles
Brings the total order to 48 cars
completed -
Brings the total order to 54 cars.
completed -
Summer 2026First railcar arrives in Cleveland
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Summer 2027New cars enter revenue service on the Red Line
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Summer 2028New cars enter revenue service on the Blue/Green/Waterfront Lines
Team and Partners


