Omaha Streetcar Authority, an interlocal agency set up in partnership between the City of Omaha and Omaha Metro to execute the city's new tram network project, has chosen CAF to supply the units that will operate on the line.
This is one of Omaha’s most important projects for the coming years and includes both the design and construction of the infrastructure and the trams, as well as the operation and maintenance of the system. Scheduled to enter into operation in 2027, this almost 5-kilometre-long network will comprise 16 stops. Running east along Harney Street and west on Farnam Street, the network will connect Omaha's historic Blackstone district with the downtown area.
Located in the state of Nebraska, Omaha is a vibrant city with close to half a million residents and is undergoing multiple municipal projects in an effort to increase density and development in its urban core. This project aims to improve mobility for residents, workers, and visitors travelling between the city centre and key business, education, and service hubs, whilst also driving employment growth and economic development.
CAF's scope includes the initial supply of 6 trams, along with their corresponding depot parts and special tools. The contract also provides an option to increase the number of trams by up to 29 additional units in the future. The contract is worth approximately €50 million.
These are Urbos platform 3-module trams with a 100% low-floor design. They are equipped to operate using either overhead catenary power lines or Onboard Energy Storage Systems (OESS) on sections of the line without a catenary infrastructure. It should be noted that these are the first CAF trams with the OESS system to be manufactured for the United States. The growing interest of U.S. urban operators in battery-powered tram systems makes this a particularly important consideration. This trend is a key factor that will help facilitate CAF's success in future bids for U.S. projects involving catenary-free track sectors for this type of system.
CAF has been operating in the U.S. since 1998 and has production facilities in Elmira (New York State), where a large number of U.S. projects have been developed, including the supply of 96 units for the Washington D.C. Metro, 130 passenger cars for Amtrak, as well as trams and LRVs for Kansas City, Cincinnati, Houston, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, and Boston.
CAF is currently executing two projects: supplying 102 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for Boston's Green Line and 26 LRVs for Maryland's Purple Line. The latter includes CAF’s participation in the company that will manage the operation and maintenance of the Purple Line system for 30 years.