Last week, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched the first of 218 new light-rail vehicles (LRVs).
The cars are the first major upgrades made to Muni's fleet since the 1990s and will eventually replace all of the agency's current trains.
Although the new car, No. 2006, began shuttling passengers on the N-Judah line on Friday, it will travel on different lines.
The effort is part of the 2014 SFMTA Transit Fleet Management Plan and the agency's 20-year capital plan. The new vehicles, built by Siemens in Sacramento under a $1.2 billion contract, began arriving in San Francisco earlier this year.
The new LRVs are reportedly quieter, have wider aisles and more reliable passenger doors. They also have an enhanced braking system and larger signage, and will require less maintenance because they have fewer parts.
According to the agency, the new cars will be able to run for 59,000 miles without breakdowns, as opposed to 5,000 miles for today's LRVs.
The next new train is scheduled to debut in December, with one to two new vehicles expected to roll out each week after that, KTVU reports. In total, SFMTA plans to have 68 new trains up and running by the end of next year.
With the addition of the new LRVs, Muni’s fleet will grow to 218 by the end of 2018, and the agency plans to replace its entire fleet with the new vehicles by 2028.
Car No. 2006 was revealed at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Church and Duboce streets on Friday. The event was attended by numerous locally-elected officials and transportation experts.
A plaque honoring Muni employee Larry Martin, whom the new train commemorates, was similarly unveiled at the ceremony. Martin, who died last month, was a former president of both the Transport Works Union Local 250-A and the Recreation and Park Commission. He began working with Muni in 1966.
As we previously reported, each vehicle required one thousand hours of testing, which effectively shut down nighttime and weekend service between Montgomery and West Portal stations for roughly a month this past summer.
Some early reactions to Muni's new LRV:
I’m thrilled that that the funding we secured for new, lighter, more efficient trains is coming to life today! These trains look & smell nice, have more room and are quieter than ever. #muniforward pic.twitter.com/emg5YDruC7
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) November 17, 2017
New Muni trains are here! Seems to move cautiously slow but quieter and built better pic.twitter.com/yOfw7VDf1t
— Craig Gary Phillips (@craigary) November 18, 2017
Yes, we celebrate new @sfmta_muni trains today, but it's really about the people. Here is Rosa, the first person to pay a fare on the new trains! pic.twitter.com/Zh5jMWeRq1
— Joël Ramos (@Jo_elRamos) November 17, 2017
The new @sfmta_muni trains have more standing space. Though the bench seating isn’t going to be popular with everyone. pic.twitter.com/uY1j1yYCIl
— Jamison Wieser (@jamisonsf) November 18, 2017
Attended the launch of @sfmta_muni new #Muni trains on behalf of @DavidChiu ! As a daily rider, I am thrilled! More room, better signage and quieter. Great investment for our city #SF #MuniOffice pic.twitter.com/f1MNFJMBnt
— Genesis Garcia (@Lavidadegenesis) November 18, 2017
San Francisco, your commute just got a sleek upgrade. The new fleet will improve safety, reliability & service. #RideMuni pic.twitter.com/P3iWMTIqIp
— Mayor Ed Lee (@mayoredlee) November 17, 2017
Huh. Didn't know that there were new @sfmta_muni #Muni trains on the way. But it's not for my line. pic.twitter.com/vEjTp0w5Da
— andrewbender (@andrewbender) November 18, 2017