- Unveiling marks delivery of first of 63 new light rail vehicles, strengthening an over 30-year relationship with Calgary Transit
- Siemens design enhances reliability, accessibility and passenger experience
and accommodates expansion of Calgary's light rail system
CALGARY, Jan. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Calgary Transit unveiled the first of its new S200 light rail vehicles today at its Oliver Bowen Maintenance Facility. The vehicles were designed and manufactured by Siemens based on direct input from the riding public and Calgary Transit. Siemens has provided trains to Calgary Transit for more than 30 years and employed bold new thinking and intensive collaboration with the customer to design the best possible vehicle for the more than 325,000 Calgarians who use the light rail system every day.
Unique to the approach is that Siemens designed the light rail vehicles specifically to withstand the challenging Calgary environment by including heated, slip-resistant flooring, thermal insulated walls, triple-pane windows with low solar transmittance and forced air heating and cooling system providing a comfortable passenger environment in all weather conditions. The vehicles are fitted with the most advanced corrosion protection coatings available in the industry to protect them from the elements.
In true Canadian fashion, the exterior look of the S200 vehicles is inspired by the Calgary Flames goalie mask, a design chosen from among three by an online public vote held by Calgary Transit.
The vehicles were also designed with passenger safety top of mind and are equipped with on-board security systems, GPS mapping displays, a roomy open design and larger windows to increase natural light and provide visual security. Green and red LED indicator lights inside the door frames also warn passengers when doors open and close.
An "infotainment" system provides route information and news updates. Back-up power systems and improved communication and diagnostics systems improve reliability and ensure issues are resolved promptly. The S200 vehicles are fully compliant with the City of Calgary's Access Design Standards, providing barrier-free access at all vehicle doors and making them easily accessible for passengers with disabilities and those pushing strollers or transporting bicycles or bulky objects.
Siemens will be delivering a total of 63 S200 vehicles for the Calgary Transit light rail system as part of a contract announced in September 2013. Calgary Transit expects the new vehicles to begin operation this spring.
Calgary's current light rail system includes 82 Siemens U2 vehicles and 110 Siemens SD vehicles that have kept the city moving for more than three decades. To learn more about between the long-term partnership between Siemens and Calgary Transit and how collaboration fostered the development of the new S200 light rail vehicle, click HERE.
Video of how the S200 vehicles are being made is available HERE.
QUOTES:
"Siemens has provided Calgary with its entire light rail fleet of vehicles since 1981 and we're excited to look towards the future with the introduction of the new S200 light rail vehicle. Calgary Transit runs one of North America's largest light rail systems and we're honoured to collaborate with them to provide Calgarians with the latest technologies that will improve the riders' experience, operation and maintenance, and overall mobility in and around Calgary."
- Patrick O'Neill, Vice President, Mobility, Siemens Canada Limited
"It's not just about timelines and budget but whether a project can be delivered in a way that both parties are happy with the outcome. Siemens appreciation of the importance of our project and what it means to the City of Calgary was a major factor in the success of the S200 project."
- Russell Davies, Transit Fleet Manager, Calgary Transit
About Siemens Canada
For more than 100 years Siemens Canada has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability. Siemens technology in the fields of electrification, automation and digitalization helps make real what matters to Canadians. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, more than 4,800 employees in Canada work together to deliver solutions for sustainable energy, intelligent infrastructure, healthcare, and the future of manufacturing. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions and automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a foremost provider of medical imaging equipment and a leader in laboratory diagnostics. Sales for Siemens Canada in fiscal 2015 (ended September 30), were $3.0 billion CAD. The company has 46 offices and 15 production facilities across Canada. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca.
SOURCE Siemens Canada Limited
Contact for journalists: Ann Adair, VP Communications & Government Affairs, Siemens Canada, Phone: 416.567.7831, E-mail: [email protected], Follow us: twitter.com/siemenscanada
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