The Portland Transportation Bureau has selected CAF USA to manufacture and deliver 15 battery-powered Urbos trams that will be put into service for passengers on the Portland Streetcar system.
The new vehicles will be equipped with hybrid batteries to serve a new section of overhead-wire-free lines on the Portland Streetcar network, as the NS line extends to Montgomery Park in northwest Portland. Wireless operation will be a first for this system as part of the expansion project, while also providing greater reliability for the rest of the network.
“Replacing 25-year-old vehicles with brand-new trams will improve the comfort, safety, and reliability that riders enjoy and sets the stage for the next 30 years of success,” said Dan Bower, executive director of Portland Streetcar and the city’s project manager for this procurement.
The selection of the supplier marks the transition of the process to a stage where vehicle specifications, costs, delivery schedules, and other essential elements will be determined. Representatives from the City of Portland, Portland Tram, and CAF will begin negotiations on these matters in the coming weeks.
Urbos Trams, Tailored for Portland
CAF USA will build Urbos battery-powered trams at its rolling stock facility in Elmira, New York, from where it has delivered rail vehicles worldwide and built modern trams for use in Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Omaha.
“Urbos trams are reliable and have a proven track record in operation worldwide, offering modern amenities for passengers, and for Portland we will integrate special features, such as the ability to operate wirelessly, using battery technology where necessary,” said Felix Fernandez, CEO of CAF USA.
The new Urbos trams will replace the original fleet of trams built in the Czech Republic, which entered service in 2001 and are nearing the end of their service life, as well as several other vehicles that need to be replaced due to age or damage.
Portland Streetcar began operating in 2001 between NW 23rd Avenue and Portland State University. Subsequent projects expanded service to South Waterfront, Central Eastside, Lloyd District, Lower Albina, and now to Montgomery Park in northwest Portland. This project is expected to begin construction in 2028 and could enter commercial operation by 2030, with the introduction of the new CAF vehicles.
Share on:
