Chicago Metra's Green Transition: A New Era of Transportation with the Introduction of Stadler BEMUs
- Pinnacle Team
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Chicago's commuter rail network, Metra, has taken a significant step toward the future of urban transportation by ordering eight battery-electric multiple-unit (BEMU) trains from the Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler. The contract is valued at $154 million, with an option for up to 32 additional trains, and is part of Metra's effort to provide environmentally friendly services. The manufacturing will take place at Stadler's Salt Lake City facility, a strategic decision that aligns Metra's vision with technological and environmental harmony.
Metra CEO Jim Derwinski emphasized the importance of this project, stating that it will not only contribute to environmental protection and noise reduction but will also be key to Metra's vision of offering more frequent services. This goes beyond a simple upgrade of transport vehicles to improve the quality of life for the local community.
The BEMUs, which will be used on the Rock Island Line, will be introduced with a comprehensive service package, including engineering support, employee training, and spare parts. This provides an opportunity to further upgrade Metra's services with additional vehicles and train options, for a total of $181.4 million. Stadler has specifically designed the trains to be suitable for Chicago's harsh winter conditions, and they will provide an optimal environment for passengers with features such as floor heating, special insulation, well-sealed engine rooms, and air conditioning.
The project was funded by a $169.3 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant and the state of Illinois' PAYGO program. This support will allow Metra to retire old and polluting railcars and significantly contribute to improving air quality in Chicago's southern suburbs with the introduction of the new BEMUs, scheduled for 2027-2028.
Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US, expressed excitement about the partnership with Metra, stating that BEMU technology will play a vital role in providing green public transportation in the United States. This is part of Metra's sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for the community and will redefine the transportation culture of the Chicago area.
The introduction of these BEMUs is more than just the addition of new vehicles; it is a significant step toward a future of environmental sustainability and efficient urban transportation. This collaboration between Chicago Metra and Stadler is a commitment to the realization of forward-looking transportation solutions and signals a revolutionary change in the urban transportation system.
February 23, 2024
