OC Streetcar Advances Toward 2026 Launch with Delivery of Vehicles

DARRELL E. JOHNSON
Chief Executive Officer
Orange County Transportation Authority, CA

The arrival and subsequent unveiling of the first OC Streetcar vehicle in May marked a significant and exciting step forward for the Orange County Transportation Authority, our partners, and, most importantly, for the community.

As the county’s first modern streetcar system, OC Streetcar represents a transformative investment in zero-emission transit, sustainable infrastructure, and mobility in our growing county.

The vehicle, a Siemens S700 manufactured in Sacramento, was the first of eight that will serve a 4-mile alignment between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and busy Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove. After eagerly awaiting the safe arrival of the first vehicle, the remainder have been arriving every other week, with the same level of excitement as we move closer to testing and operations.

This arrival underscores the project’s momentum. At the time of the vehicle unveiling, construction was approximately 92 percent complete, with all track work finished and the remaining work focused on systems installation, overhead catenary infrastructure, vehicle commissioning, and putting the finishing touches on the streetcar stations.

The OC Streetcar will operate using a 750V DC overhead catenary system with substations located strategically along the corridor. The S700 vehicles feature articulated, three-section designs for enhanced turning capability, with a 70 percent low-floor configuration for level boarding. Each car is 90 feet long, weighs approximately 100,000 pounds, and accommodates up to 211 passengers (62 seated, 149 standing).

• Key safety and performance features include:
  Maximum operating speed of 44 mph along the dedicated, now OCTA-owned, former Pacific Electric right of way.
• Street-running segments designed to integrate safely with traffic at lower operating speeds.
• Energy-absorbing bumpers and a lithium-ion emergency battery drive system, allowing for movement up to 300 feet in the event of power disruption.
• ADA-compliant hydraulic level boarding, with dedicated space for mobility devices, bicycles, and strollers.

During peak service, up to six vehicles will be in rotation, with two spares available. The system will serve 10 stations in each direction, with 10- to 15-minute headways, for optimum efficiency and reliability.

The OC Streetcar is being delivered in collaboration with the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, and the FTA. The project’s $649 million budget is supported by a mix of federal, state, and local sources, including Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation.

Testing is scheduled to begin this summer on the off-street segment (the former Pacific Electric streetcar right of way) before transitioning to the city-street portions later in 2025. Revenue service is anticipated in spring 2026.

As we move closer to passenger operations, we recognize the critical contributions of our engineering, construction, and rail manufacturing partners. Their work ensures that this system will not only meet high performance and safety standards but also integrate seamlessly into our transit network, providing a new and exciting zero-emission transit option.

OC Streetcar is a bold step forward for transit in Southern California, combining proven rail technologies with forward-thinking design to create a reliable, convenient, and affordable system for a new generation of riders.

I encourage you to find more technical details and project updates at www.ocstreetcar.com.