The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announced the arrival of the 28th and final light-rail vehicle (LRV) for the new Purple Line in Maryland, USA. 

The final vehicle delivery completes the order of 28 vehicles. Measuring in at 142 feet long, the light-rail cars are some of the longest in the U.S., with a capacity for 430 total passengers and seating for 80. The new stock can support up to eight wheelchairs and has eight bike racks to aid first- and last-mile connections. The Purple Line LRVs were built by CAF and assembled in Elmira, N.Y. Once delivered, each vehicle goes through an extensive commissioning and testing process before it’s allowed to enter service. The Purple Line is now more than 84% complete. More than 148,000 of the 193,100 feet of track for the line have been laid overall, bringing rail progress to over 76%. All rail needed in Prince George’s County is installed. The delivery marks nearly 85% completion of the project with more than 75% of the rail laid.

Under a previous agreement between MDOT, MTA, and Purple Line Transit Partners, the 16-mile Purple Line is scheduled to begin operations in spring 2027. As part of that deal, MDOT MTA committed to providing PLTP with US$148 million, reflecting a US$205 million increase in payments during the construction phase, offset by a US$57 million reduction in payments over the operations and maintenance period.