Hyundai Rotem will supply rail vehicles for all light rail transit (LRT) lines operating in Edmonton, one of Canada's five largest cities.
Hyundai Rotem said on Feb. 4 that it signed a contract on Feb. 3 local time with the city government of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, Canada, to supply high-platform light rail vehicles worth about 320 billion won.
The light rail vehicles Hyundai Rotem won this time total 32 trainsets (three cars per set) with a maximum operating speed of 80 kph. They are set to be deployed on the Capital and Metro lines, which run north-south through the city center and connect the outskirts. A Hyundai Rotem official said, "By replacing the existing aging vehicles, we will provide commuting convenience for office workers."
Because these light rail vehicles replace aging rolling stock, improvements focused on enhancing the safety and convenience of local riders. With custom designs to withstand local harsh winters such as extreme lows of minus 40 degrees and heavy snowfall, and weight-saving designs to reduce energy use, the vehicles will be optimized for the local environment. A forward collision warning system on the front of the cars strengthens safety for passengers and pedestrians.
With this order, Hyundai Rotem will supply vehicles to all three light rail lines in Edmonton. The Edmonton tram (streetcar) won in 2021 is set to run on the Valley line in the west, not on the high-platform lines used by the new light rail vehicles, and will provide convenience for passengers traveling between downtown and western suburbs. The tram has been delivered to the site in stages since initial trainset delivery last Aug.
Before the Edmonton light rail, Hyundai Rotem helped advance the start of operations by three months by delivering driverless electric trains early for Vancouver International Airport in Canada under a 2005 contract. In 2018, it also signed an additional contract to supply driverless electric trains for the same line.
A Hyundai Rotem official said, "Based on our track record with several light rail projects such as the Gimpo light rail, Incheon Line 2, and the Ui-Sinseol light rail in Korea, and our experience cooperating with local implementing agencies, we will do our best to help local citizens use public transportation comfortably and safely."