USA: Orange County Transportation Authority has approved a $51·5m framework contract for Siemens to supply up to 18 S70 vehicles for the OC Streetcar project.
The bidirectional vehicles would be 26·8 m long with capacity for 180 passengers including 70 seated.
The base order for eight vehicles and spare parts would be for a planned 6·7 km route connecting Santa Ana and Garden Grove in California.
Construction of the line is due to begin this year for opening in late 2020. The estimated project cost is cost $299m, to be financed from sales tax revenue, as well as state and federal funding. Initial ridership is forecast at 7 300 passengers per day.
