Modernizing Philadelphia's public transit: The SEPTA streetcar project
Modernizing Philadelphia's public transit: The SEPTA streetcar project
As we advance towards the final design phase and delivery of 130 Citadis™ streetcars to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Alstom’s Project Director Mariana Duarte discusses what lies ahead. This strategic project, which will introduce the new Citadis light rail range to North America, will serve as a blueprint for future opportunities in the region.
Mariana Duarte is the Project Director for Rolling Stock at Alstom. She joined Alstom in 2002 as software developer for signaling systems for vital onboard and interlocking controls. Over the years, she has held various technical and management roles, working with multiple technologies including Light Rail Vehicles, Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), and Automatic Train Control and Operation. Mariana has experience leading complex projects within the transportation sector, including the SEPTA Streetcars project. Before joining the rail industry, she worked as a software developer for automotive diagnostic tools.
Connect with Mariana on LinkedIn
With the SEPTA project approaching its two-year anniversary, can you provide an update on the current status?
The notice to proceed (NTP) was signed on 31 May 2023, so we are two years in. We have reached a point in the project where the majority of supplier contracts have been signed and are two-thirds of the way through the design phase, with completing the second out of of three major design reviews forecasted in the contract. We are now approaching the third and final design review (FDR), which will commence in the fall of 2025. Once this review is completed, we will be ready to begin manufacturing the streetcars at our Hornell facility next year.
A significant project milestone was achieved when our customer reviewed mock-ups produced at our Saint Bruno prototype center. This included a cab mock-up, which arrived in Philadelphia in March 2025 for design review and a “phase 1” half-car mock-up. This half-car mock-up will evolve to “phase 2” after design completion and will then be shipped to Philadelphia for public viewing.
What are the biggest challenges of the project?
Alstom is providing the Citadis streetcars as part of a complex, multi-year project to modernise Philadelphia’s aging rail system, known as the trolley modernisation program. This phased project, managed by SEPTA, includes the construction of new platforms, improved signage for accessibility, the replacement of the existing trolley poles with modern catenaries, and new maintenance facilities. The complexities surrounding this 130-year-old network, originally designed for horse-drawn carriages and utilising Pennsylvania broad gauge, present significant challenges typical of brownfield projects, where we don’t have the advantage of a brand new track to work with. We are working closely with SEPTA to maximise the potential of this historic network and implement the necessary technical adjustments to integrate it with our next-generation Citadis.
How is this project going to improve passenger experience in Philadelphia?
The trolleys currently operating in Philadelphia are 40-year-old Kawasaki cars from the 1980s, which needed to be replaced with more accessible vehicles. Our modern Citadis streetcar is multi-articulated, bidirectional, fully ADA-compliant (American with Disabilities Act), and features a 100% low flat floor for easy boarding. It also includes designated open spaces for wheelchairs, bikes and strollers, as well as USB ports and an audio-visual passenger information system.
Philadelphia is the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution, and the streetcar is designed to reflect the city’s historic character, combining clean lines with traditional elements inspired by the Liberty Bell. We are providing SEPTA with 130 cars that will connect dense residential communities with the city’s economic and cultural heart, business districts, health facilities and all the major universities.
What did you do to adapt the product to the local market context?
The streetcars for SEPTA are part of our Citadis for USA portfolio, which is adapting the European light rail to American technical standards. In that respect, the SEPTA project is paving the way for other light rail projects in North America. As a federal-funded project, SEPTA has to comply with ‘Buy America’ requirements, meaning the trains must be manufactured in an US facility, with over 70% American content. Only some components will be manufactured at the Alstom’s sites or suppliers outside the US; most will be produced locally. Setting up technology and industrial transfers, finding US suppliers and setting up a local supply chain has been a challenge.
As we move further into phase two, we’ll gradually increase our local engagement as we prepare to receive the cars and handle validation and commissioning. In September 2024, we opened a project office in Philadelphia to support our customers. Now that we’ve helped to enable US based production, we’re ramping up our presence here, both for SEPTA and for future projects.
What are the next steps of the project?
Our priority is to finalize the FDR and wrap up the design phase, which will culminate in the presentation of the phase 2 half-car mock-up. In parallel, we are beginning preparations for the manufacturing sites. The car body shell will be manufactured in Hornell (NY) using the most advanced technologies. At Hornell we are undertaking a significant site transformation to support a multi-project manufacturing line for future light rail vehicle projects, including SEPTA’s wide gage production and test track.
2026 is big year for Philadelphia, as it marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The city will also host several FIFA World Cup quarter final games, and we are discussing opportunities to display the SEPTA streetcar mock-up at the stadium where the games will be held.
