TriMet Completes Fleet Upgrade: Final Siemens S700 MAX Delivery

Oregon’s TriMet receives final Siemens S700 Type 6 MAX light-rail vehicle, completing a significant fleet modernization aimed at enhancing service reliability and efficiency. The delivery marks the culmination of the agency’s most substantial fleet upgrade in over two decades, with the new vehicles poised to transform regional public transit.

The Ruby Junction Rail Operations Facility welcomed the final Siemens-built S700 Type 6 MAX light-rail vehicle on 20 November, officially concluding TriMet’s order for 30 new units. This milestone represents the most significant fleet modernization for Oregon’s regional public transit agency in over two decades. With 22 of these advanced vehicles already in operation, accounting for approximately 15% of the current MAX fleet, the remaining units will undergo rigorous testing, including logging over 3,000 miles out of service, before entering regular service next year.

Strategic Impact and Operational Advancement

TriMet’s Chief Operations Officer, Inessa Vitko, highlighted the delivery as a pivotal step into a new era for the MAX system. “These trains are an investment in our region’s shared future – one that will continue to move our riders to opportunities safely and reliably for years to come, all while saving TriMet time and money to maintain our equipment,” Vitko stated. The introduction of the Type 6 fleet is designed to significantly improve operational efficiency and passenger experience, phasing out the aging Type 1 vehicles which, introduced in 1986, are now nearing 40 years of service. The challenges of sourcing parts for the Type 1s, some of which have accumulated over 2 million miles, necessitated in-house fabrication or salvaging components from retired units.

Technical Upgrades and Winter Readiness

The new Type 6 trains are equipped with advanced diagnostic systems that proactively alert technicians to potential issues, thereby minimizing downtime and reducing maintenance expenditures. Passenger amenities have also been significantly enhanced, featuring modern LED lighting, digital passenger information screens, and comprehensive 360-degree internal CCTV coverage. A notable addition for operational resilience in challenging winter conditions are the heated ice cutters fitted to the pantographs. These features are designed to melt or remove ice from overhead wires, safeguarding operations during severe weather and mitigating service disruptions.

Broader Network Improvements and Future Outlook

The introduction of the Type 6 fleet is synchronized with a wider program of infrastructure enhancements across the TriMet network. Recent projects include the completion of the multi-year Better Red MAX Red Line Extension and Improvements project, alongside upgrades to existing systems such as new tensioning systems for overhead wires and a complete renovation of the NE 82nd Avenue MAX Station platform. TriMet anticipates each Type 6 train will remain in service for approximately 30 years or more. The final train, numbered 627, is slated to operate across the Blue, Green, Orange, Red, and Yellow lines upon the completion of its testing phase, with the overall transition expected to bolster system-wide reliability.

TriMet will continue to operate the legacy Type 1 vehicles until the entire Type 6 fleet is deployed. While most of the retired Type 1 units will be recycled, one vehicle, car 101, has been donated to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, Oregon.