METROPOLITAN Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta) has awarded Stadler Signalling North America a $US 500m contract to equip its entire 77km network with Stadler’s Nova Pro CBTC technology as well as its new fleet of 56 trains, which were ordered in 2019 and are being manufactured at Stadler’s plant in Salt Lake City.
The project is expected to take eight years to complete upon receipt of a notice to proceed. While Stadler says its CBTC technology is adaptable to all levels of Grade of Automation (GoA), the trains for Atlanta will operate at GoA2 with a driver remaining present in the cab. It is also compatible with 5G communications and Wi-Fi.
Marta signed a $US 600m contract with Stadler for the supply of 254 metro cars in 2019. Two two-car trains will run in multiple and will initially operate using legacy signalling during the transition to CBTC. Marta has told local media that the first of the new trains will enter service next summer.
The contract is Stadler’s first for CBTC in the United States and Mr Markus Bernsteiner, Stadler Rail group CEO, says the order is an “international breakthrough” for the company. “Marta and its passengers can look forward to a state-of-the-art train control system that will make metro operations more punctual, safer and more efficient,” Bernsteiner says.
Stadler to formally separate US division
Stadler has also confirmed that its Stadler US division based in Salt Lake City will be formally separated from the Swiss company from January 1. The new division will be led by current Stadler US CEO, Mr Martin Ritter, who will remain a Stadler Group board member.
Stadler established the US division in Salt Lake City in 2016 to comply with requirements of the Buy America Act. It was required to produce 60% of components in the USA for an order secured from Texas’ Trinity Metro for eight diesel-electric Flirt multiple-units.
Stadler says it has enjoyed “considerable growth” since then and now employs more than 500 people in the United States with work underway to expand the plant. “The expanded plant will enable Stadler to manage this growth and in the future manufacture car bodies in the US,” the company says.
Recent contract wins include further DMUs for Trinity Metro, LRVs for Salt Lake City, battery trains for Metra, hydrogen multiple-units for Caltrans, and EMUs for Caltrain.
“Stadler has enjoyed significant growth over recent years,” says chairman of the board of directors, Mr Peter Spuhler. “We are now strengthening the location to underscore the importance of this market.”
