Portland’s TriMet awards Siemens $80M overhaul contract

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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TriMet’s Southwest Corridor Project could lose one-third of its funding if a measure is not approved by voters in November.
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Siemens Mobility is the winner of a mid-life overhaul service contract for TriMet’s Type-2 and Type-3 light-rail vehicle (LRV) fleet, which is made up of 79 Siemens SD660 LRVs.

The project order has a volume of about $80 million with options for up to $25 million more, officials said.

The overhaul is intended to allow TriMet to maintain a state-of-good-repair for the fleet and retain its fleet safety, performance and passenger comfort standards throughout vehicle life.

The LRVs are among 119 Siemens Mobility light-rail vehicles that are currently being used by TriMet, an ongoing partnership that began in 1995 and continues today, officials said.

Refurbishing LRVs not only prolongs the life of vehicles, but Siemens said doing so also saves costly energy and resources used in manufacturing new vehicles.

“The decreased waste and energy support environmental sustainability goals for both TriMet and Siemens,” a statement said.

Michael Tyler, head of Siemens Mobility Rail Services in North America, said this group of vehicles has been in service since the mid to late 1990s and are still running strong.

“This mid-life overhaul not only provides the fleet with a face-lift but adds current technology and functionality in order to improve the customer experience,” Tyler said. “We built these vehicles in Sacramento and we know the cars better than any other company. Having the mid-life overhaul performed by the original manufacturer will provide the highest level of consistency and serviceability for the operator and its passengers.”

TriMet General Manager Doug Kelsey explained in a statement that mid-life overhauls of such LRVs serve as an industry standard.

“We look forward to renewing these vehicles so they can continue to provide reliable and on-time service for riders throughout our growing light-rail system for decades to come,” Kelsey said.

Officials said two pilot LRVs will be overhauled at the Siemens Mobility West Coast Rail Services Hub, located in greater Sacramento, Calif. The remaining overhauls will then take place at a newly opened Siemens Mobility Rail Services facility in Clackamas, Ore.

The work will ramp up in Clackamas next year and is expected to provide a backlog of work through 2025. This facility is expected to hire more than 15 employees throughout the overhaul project’s duration.

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