WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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’s two largest metropolitan areas.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will receive $82.8 million to replace light-rail vehicles used on its “T” system. SEPTA was awarded $13.3 million toward replacing its roughly 50-year-old Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars.
The grants were issued through the federal Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, according to U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman.
Much of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s light-rail fleet has exceeded its intended service life, contributing to higher operating costs, maintenance demands and reliability concerns, the senators’ offices reported.
The larger Pittsburgh award will support the transit agency’s planned purchase of new vehicles designed to improve capacity, accessibility and reliability.
“This investment will help us move forward with a new fleet of rail cars,” Pittsburgh Regional Transit Chief Executive Officer Katharine Kelleman said, describing the replacement program as a long-term upgrade for riders.
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’s Regional Rail fleet.
Their replacement would affect service throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, where Regional Rail connects Philadelphia with communities across Chester, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
New cars are expected to improve accessibility and reduce the cost of maintaining equipment that has operated for more than five decades.
“This grant will help SEPTA jump-start the purchase of new Regional Rail cars to replace our current fleet,” SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said.
SEPTA has continued operating the Silverliner IV fleet through an extensive maintenance program while developing its replacement plans, Sauer added.
McCormick and Fetterman each supported the Pittsburgh transit agency’s grant application. Both senators characterized the awards as investments in safer and more reliable service.
The combined awards total $96,037,322, with approximately 86% directed to Pittsburgh Regional Transit and 14% to SEPTA.
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