WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Federal Transit Administration awarded about $96 million to Pittsburgh Regional Transit and SEPTA to help replace aging rail vehicles whose maintenance and reliability problems affect riders across Pennsylvania\u2019s two largest metropolitan areas.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will receive $82.8 million to replace light-rail vehicles used on its \u201cT\u201d system. SEPTA was awarded $13.3 million toward replacing its roughly 50-year-old Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars.<\/p>\n
The grants were issued through the federal Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, according to U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman.<\/p>\n
Much of Pittsburgh Regional Transit\u2019s light-rail fleet has exceeded its intended service life, contributing to higher operating costs, maintenance demands and reliability concerns, the senators\u2019 offices reported.<\/p>\n
The larger Pittsburgh award will support the transit agency\u2019s planned purchase of new vehicles designed to improve capacity, accessibility and reliability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis investment will help us move forward with a new fleet of rail cars,\u201d Pittsburgh Regional Transit Chief Executive Officer Katharine Kelleman said, describing the replacement program as a long-term upgrade for riders.<\/p>\n
SEPTA will use its grant to begin replacing Silverliner IV cars with Silverliner VI vehicles. The older cars entered service in the mid-1970s and account for about two-thirds of SEPTA\u2019s Regional Rail fleet.<\/p>\n
Their replacement would affect service throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, where Regional Rail connects Philadelphia with communities across Chester, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties.<\/p>\n
New cars are expected to improve accessibility and reduce the cost of maintaining equipment that has operated for more than five decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis grant will help SEPTA jump-start the purchase of new Regional Rail cars to replace our current fleet,\u201d SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said.<\/p>\n
SEPTA has continued operating the Silverliner IV fleet through an extensive maintenance program while developing its replacement plans, Sauer added.<\/p>\n
McCormick and Fetterman each supported the Pittsburgh transit agency\u2019s grant application. Both senators characterized the awards as investments in safer and more reliable service.<\/p>\n
The combined awards total $96,037,322, with approximately 86% directed to Pittsburgh Regional Transit and 14% to SEPTA.<\/p>\n