ATLANTA — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority on Thursday offered the first public look at its new Stadler-built MARTA trainsets, part of a $646 million order to replace the agency’s entire rail fleet.
The first CQ400 trainset is one of 56 trainsets ordered in November 2019. The first of the 224 cars were delivered in late 2023 [see “MARTA unveils new cars …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 16, 2023].
The train was unveiled at the State of MARTA event held at the Lindbergh Center Station in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood rode the new train to the event, then told the crowd, “your chariot has arrived at last.”
Greenwood said in a press release, “When I stepped onto that new train this morning, it felt like stepping into the future. These new railcars are an inspiration to everyone at MARTA and to our customers who will get to experience a cleaner and safer ride – and hopefully one that shows them how transit can make their lives easier and their trip more enjoyable.”
The new cars feature an open-gangway design, along with upgraded lighting and seating, digital displays, and charging ports. The train displayed on Thrusday is currently undergoing testing; MARTA says deployment of the first new trains is planned for later this year. The oldest equipment they will replace dates to 1979.
BART made the same mistake with the sloped nose.