STADLER: NEW CALTRAIN EMU AT APTA EXPO

Caltrain currently has 23 seven-car units on order with Stadler and has recently added a bi-level battery-powered EMU to the fleet in production. The vehicles will be going into service on the route between San Francisco and San Jose and will replace Caltrain’s diesel-powered fleet in fall 2024.

Stadler is building the seven-car multiple units for Caltrain at the US headquarters in Salt Lake City. So far, four vehicles have arrived in California and have been undergoing testing on the Caltrain network. Although the Stadler bi-level EMUs are a proven product in Europe and have been in service overseas for several decades, these will be the first to be deployed in the United States.

Caltrain’s new Stadler trainsets will serve as the foundation for the first modern, electrified railroad in California. This transformational project is creating jobs across the country, combatting climate change, and will significantly improve service for riders. These new trainsets and their associated infrastructure in California represent a keystone in the state’s transit and sustainability future. The project is a critical component of California’s future high-speed rail system as the two systems will share a corridor. Furthermore, the associated electrification lays the foundation for Caltrain’s revolutionary 2040 Service Vision that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 110 metric tons every day, and support tripling ridership to 180,000 passengers every weekday—the equivalent of adding 5.5 new freeway lanes worth of capacity to US Highway 101.

More about the train
The seven-car EMU, referred to as the KISS (German abbreviation, stands for Comfortable, Innovative, Fast, Regional Train) with its high performance and passenger capacity helps alleviate rapidly growing ridership by allowing faster and more frequent service. It offers seating for around 600 passengers and standing room for additional riders. Fixed seats are equipped with power plugs and each train has a restroom on board. Digital passenger information displays allow guests to receive information about their journey in real-time.