Our Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin's announcement at Tuesday's Board of Director's meeting was welcome news to our board, our agency and our customers -- the latest milestone for the new Muni light rail vehicles has been passed. The first of Muni's newest trains has been cleared for service and could start as early as next week.

The contract with Siemens for the new rail cars will replace our current fleet of 151 trains and expand it by 68. This is one of the biggest light rail vehicle procurements in U.S. history and we are looking forward to receiving the next five to six cars in a few months and the first 24 vehicles by the end of 2018.

Each vehicle has to be cleared and subsequent multi-car configurations (two-car and three-car) must also be approved separately.

The first car will be dedicated to civic leader, long-time Muni employee and former TWU, Local 250-A President Larry Martin.

Related posts:

Your First New Muni Train is in San Francisco, Jan. 13, 2017

Muni’s First New Trains Are On the Way — and Getting Better, Aug. 22, 2016

Sacramento Tour Shows Off New Muni Trains Coming in 2017, Aug. 30, 2016

Check It Out: The Muni Light Rail Fleet of the Future, Sept. 19, 2014