Testing in Germany, production in the USA
The HÜBNER locations in the USA and Germany cooperate closely for the order from CAF USA. Following a successful First Article Inspection at HÜBNER headquarters in Kassel, Germany, the final assembly with local added value will take place at HÜBNER’s US locations in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Dunlap, Tennessee. The 612 gangway systems will be delivered to CAF USA from these locations through 2030.
“We are proud that we have been able to convince our customer CAF USA with our technical expertise and our international strength in the HÜBNER Group for this order for light rail vehicles in Boston,” commented Ignazio Rizzo, the responsible Key Account Manager at HÜBNER. “With this order for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), another transit operator in the USA is opting for vehicles in which passengers can comfortably move from one car to another during their journey.” HÜBNER has already demonstrated its expertise with gangway systems in orders for projects serving the metro in the metropolitan region of Washington, DC, and for the metro in Los Angeles, CA, site of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Components from the HÜBNER Group
In addition to corrugated bellows, the gangway systems for the MBTA trains consist of turning plates and lower articulations from HÜBNER’s FX1000 pro series. The upper articulations will be delivered by HEMSCHEIDT Engineering, another company from the HÜBNER Group network.
Thanks to the Group’s broad product portfolio, it has been possible to expand HÜBNER’s partnership with CAF USA with a customized and needs-based solution. In this way, HÜBNER has been able to make an important contribution that helps CAF to position its innovative vehicle platforms in new markets.
Directly on hand with short delivery routes
“With our strong global network of locations we can respond quickly and directly to the wishes of our customers and satisfy their requirements in the best possible way,” explains Christopher Sames, Vice President Global Sales Mobility Rail at the HÜBNER Group.“With our locations in Mount Pleasant and Dunlap we produce in the USA for the USA. This lets our customer CAF and also the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) benefit from the close international cooperation within the HÜBNER Group through short delivery routes.”
102 low-floor trains with maximum capacity and accessibility
With its production facilities in Elmira, New York, CAF USA has received the order from the MBTA to produce 102 low-floor trains for the Green Line in Boston. The contract is valued at $811 million. In addition, the contract sets forth various options for the purchase of further vehicles and equipment in addition to the 102 light rail vehicles.
In contrast to the previous vehicles in use, the new trains feature 100% low-floor design and include priority areas for passengers with reduced mobility. This maximizes vehicle capacity and accessibility at the same time.
