Abstract
An overview of the Tren Urbano project in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is presented. Phase 1 will be a 17-km rail rapid transit line from Bayamon to Sagrado Corazon in metropolitan San Juan. The line is standard gauge, third-rail-powered, 750-Vdc, rail rapid transit, fully grade-separated. An initial fleet of 64 cars was ordered, and an option for 10 more has been exercised. The project has been bid as a design-build-operate-maintain effort, with Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc., as the prime contractor. Work has been divided into six segments and bid by local contractors. Through the Systems Turnkey and Test Track contract, Siemens is responsible for all systems elements, including cars, power supply, signals, train control and communications, the yard and shop, and about 2 km of main line with two passenger stations. Systems elements are described, with emphasis on their origin in various countries in addition to the United States. The need for Buy America compliance is mentioned. Some car-borne equipment was designed and initial units were built overseas, with most production being done in U.S. plants owned or contracted by the suppliers. By using international sources, Siemens was able to be the lowest bidder and yet provide a quality system to meet the contract requirements.
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