SEPTA Silverliner VI

[Septa9739]

https://wwww.septa.org/procurement/bids/expression-of-interest-septa-silverliner-vi-procurement/
It’s seems SEPTA is finally preparing to retire its venerable Silverliner IV fleet. Documents suggest a desire for single level EMU’s, which I think is right given how the RRD is in certain ways more akin to a subway system than most American commuter rail. The order should be about 250 cars, and would mark the largest capital expenditure SEPTA has made to date. Funding will make this process interesting. We’ll have to see how this works out.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

I wonder how likely it is Hyundai Rotem wins the order, given that Septa already has 120 Silverliner Vs from them? The Silverliner IVs will be running into their 50th year in service, so its fitting Septa finally announces the Silverliner VIs.

 

[Septa9739]

Extremely unlikely. Their US operation (based in Philadelphia) is shuttered. The corruption around Silverliner V became offensive even to Philadelphians (We kinda expect it on stuff like this.) Riders don’t like the V and have all sorts of nasty nicknames. Denver seems to be the only happy customer. That multimillion dollar disaster in 2016 that permanently damaged ridership also might figure in.

 

[BlackDiamond]

That multimillion dollar disaster in 2016 that permanently damaged ridership

What is the disaster you are referring to?

 

[Septa9739]

In the summer of 2016 the axles on the Silverliner V’s began to crack and the whole fleet had to be pulled for several months. Thankfully SEPTA is more serious about safety than certain other Northeast commuter roads. The EMU’s started “tilting.” That created a 30% reduction in available equipment a significant reduction to schedule and a significant cut in ridership that has persisted for years.

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

Similar to the MBTA, with an in-state manufacturing plant built by a company that, due to the results, will never get another contract.

 

[keelhauled]

Speaking of that Massachusetts factory, is there any word on the CRRC cars that were ordered eons ago? Last I remember hearing was that the feds were auditing the program for Buy America compliance, but that was about a year ago.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

Since Rotem is out, it would be interesting to see who gets the order. Siemens has the Mireo, Alstom has the Coradia, Stadler has the FLIRT, and CAF has the Civity to give some background on what's available on the market.

 

[BlackDiamond]

Speaking of that Massachusetts factory, is there any word on the CRRC cars that were ordered eons ago? Last I remember hearing was that the feds were auditing the program for Buy America compliance, but that was about a year ago.

The most recent status I can find on this is from August of 2023
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...rc-delivery-of-long-delayed-mbta-subway-cars/
The last paragraph gives some room for optimism:

Eng told the meeting that CRRC is still working on a revised schedule. He also said that, after significant effort by CRRC and the MBTA, the quality of the cars coming out of the Springfield plant has improved to the point that the CRRC cars in operation are exceeding expectatons. Currently, they are averaging about 114,000 miles between failures, beating the 90,000 miles required by contract.

 

[Acela150]

Can’t wait for Septa to screw this order up too. Facepalm.

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

Similar to the MBTA, with an in-state manufacturing plant built by a company that, due to the results, will never get another contract.

I was wrong about Hyundai Rotem as far as all of the U.S. is concerned: Hyundai Rotem wins subway car order for LA Metro

 

[Paniolo Man]

Did SEPTA ever issue an RFP for this order?

 

[keelhauled]

I don't know, but as it turns out my question about the CRRC order was answered a few months later when they canceled it.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Well I got tired of waiting and asked, SEPTA has not yet issued an RFP for the Silverliner VI. They state that they are actively working on one though.