Pennsylvania transit agencies receive $96 million for rail upgrades

The Federal Transit Administration has awarded approximately $96 million in grants to Pennsylvania transit agencies to replace aging rail fleets. The funding, distributed through the federal Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, aims to address reliability and maintenance issues in the state’s two largest metropolitan areas.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit will receive $82.8 million to replace light-rail vehicles on its “T” system, which have exceeded their intended service life. SEPTA has been awarded $13.3 million to begin the process of replacing its Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars. These vehicles, which entered service in the mid-1970s, account for roughly two-thirds of SEPTA’s fleet.

SEPTA intends to use the funds for the planning and design of new Silverliner VI vehicles to improve energy efficiency, accessibility, and reliability. The agency hopes to award a contract for the new trains by the end of 2026, though delivery could take up to seven years. The replacement follows a series of Silverliner IV fires last year that led to increased federal oversight.