A notable milestone has been achieved in CAF streetcars for the Maryland Purple Line by November 2025. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has accelerated operational preparations by taking delivery of the last low-floor light rail vehicle for the upcoming line. The vehicles are assembled at CAF’s facility near Elmira, New York, and each undergoes an extensive testing process before being placed into service.
According to Railway-News, these trams, which have a five-compartment design, are approximately 43.3 meters long and have a capacity of 430 passengers. It has eight wheelchair spaces and eight special places for bicycles. Additionally, vehicles equipped with air conditioning and passenger information systems promise a comfortable ride with low interior noise. According to MTA’s statement, these models will be among the longest light rail vehicles operating in America.
Purple LineThe construction of the light rail system, known as , is carried out with 21 stops on a route of approximately 25.7 kilometers. Although there were problems such as delays and budget overruns in the works that started in 2017, progress reached 84.6% as of November 25, 2025. The route is planned to be operational by the end of 2027; Once in service, the connection between New Carrollton and Bethesda will connect Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, integrating the region into the broader transportation network.
Once open, riders will benefit from the following integrations: transfers between Washington Metro’s Red, Green and Orange lines and MARC zones and Amtrak’s long-haul service. The light rail system aims to improve the quality of life on the line by bringing together both local and intercity traffic in the region.
