Stadler to Supply New Light Rail Vehicles to UTA

Stadler and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) have signed a contract for up to 80 new light rail vehicles tailored for the UTA TRAX service in and around Salt Lake City. Stadler is set to build the vehicles at its Salt Lake City manufacturing site. This is Stadler’s first large light rail contract in North America. 

“After a competitive and comprehensive procurement process, Stadler was selected for UTA’s next generation of TRAX vehicles, offering a low-floor, all-accessible boarding that will comfortably carry 14 percent more passengers than our current fleet,” said UTA Executive Director Jay Fox. “The location of Stadler’s manufacturing facility in Utah provides a unique opportunity for UTA to work directly with our equipment supplier and fast track adjustments that develop throughout the build process. With a 25-year-old TRAX system and ridership already up 17 percent this year systemwide, these new vehicles will help UTA modernize and expand its light rail system for generations to come.” 

The initial $129 million contract is for 20 new Stadler Citylink light rail cars and funded, in part, by an FTA grant. Pending additional funding, it includes options for 60 additional vehicles, all built in accordance with federal Buy America requirements. More than 800 units of this vehicle type have been sold in various countries across Europe since 2003. 

“Salt Lake City is our home in the U.S., and the opportunity to build trains for our community is a massive honor,” said Martin Ritter, CEO Stadler U.S. Inc. “Most of our workforce and their families live in and around Salt Lake City and will ride these new trains, so the excitement can be felt throughout our entire facility. We are thrilled to partner with UTA as they modernize their TRAX network to provide a state-of-the-art public transit system built by Utahns for Utahns.” 

Stadler established its U.S. headquarters in Salt Lake City in 2016 when the company expanded to North America from Europe. Stadler now employs more than 500 people at its Salt Lake manufacturing facility and employment will continue to grow as Stadler expands to meet market demands across the U.S.