USA: Minneapolis Metropolitan Council's Transportation Committee has recommended approval of a $153·2m contract with Siemens Industry Inc for the supply of 41 S70 Avanto light rail vehicles.
The Central Corridor route now under construction between central Minneapolis and St Paul will receive 31 of the 70% low -floor cars, while the other 10 will be assigned to the existing Hiawatha Line, which needs additional capacity. The first vehicle will arrive in approximately two years, well ahead of Central Corridor's 2014 opening; delivery is expected at a rate of two to four cars per month.
An option for up to 58 LRVs is included in the proposed deal. This would permit fleet expansion on the Central Corridor and Hiawatha Line, and provide cars to operate the planned Southwest LRT if this is built.
