Siemens Mobility named preferred bidder for Brightline West high speed trainsets
Siemens Mobility Named Preferred Bidder for High-Speed Trainsets in USA
In a groundbreaking development for the future of high-speed rail in the United States, private sector project promoter Brightline West has announced Siemens Mobility as the preferred bidder to supply electric trainsets for its planned high-speed line between Las Vegas and California.
The order, which is still pending finalization, would include 10 American Pioneer 220 trainsets capable of reaching speeds of 355 km/h. These trainsets, based on Siemens’ Velaro family, would feature ultrawide carbodies and have a capacity of 434 to 450 passengers, depending on the final interior configuration.
The selection of Siemens Mobility came after a rigorous competitive procurement process that evaluated various global companies based on criteria such as price, manufacturing schedule, train performance, accessibility rules, capacity, passenger amenities, and future interoperability with the California high-speed rail project.
Brightline West emphasized that Siemens Mobility would establish a new facility to build the AP220 trainsets, ensuring compliance with Buy America requirements and promoting the development of an American supply chain for high-speed rail technology.
CEO of Brightline, Michael Reininger, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this project, stating that it would create new jobs and establish a foundation for a high-speed rail industry across the country.
Siemens Mobility, with a track record of supplying trains in the United States, sees this project as a pivotal moment in American rail history. CEO Marc Buncher highlighted the innovative technology that the Brightline West trains would feature, positioning them as America’s first true high-speed trains.
With the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s services not expected to launch until 2030-33, the introduction of the Brightline West trains is anticipated to mark a significant milestone in the advancement of high-speed rail in the United States.