Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Get ready for some new TRAX trains. The new track spurs going west will cater to a different kind of train we haven't seen before in Utah, but a train that will be easier to use.
The new trains will accelerate faster and can reach a maximum speed of about 65 miles per hour. The west spur will have open areas where trains can reach that speed.
But there are some other differences as well. When the doors open, you'll find these new trains much easier to board because you won't have to climb the stairs anymore to get to the main floor.
These level openings will also allow disabled commuters to board themselves; a level ramp means no more elevated ramps on each end of the train.
The seating arrangement will change too. No more facing each other or facing one way. All of the seats will be along the sides on both sides of the train.
Michael Grodner, with the Utah Transit Authority said, "There's both regular seating and bench seating, so it's a combination of open space, bench seating and regular seating."
A big open aisle will make it easier for wheelchairs and bicycles, but even more important; it provides an easier and quicker way for folks to get off the train.
Lower windows on the platform level floor will provide a better view to the outside.
The platforms will not change. They'll remain the same height, but eventually, as the new trains make their way on the older north-south rails, the elevated platforms for the disabled will no longer be needed.
Grodner said, "We've ordered 77 new S70 low-profile cars, and the first ones will arrive towards the end of this year for testing."
He said because most of the floor is down to platform level, the new trains actually gain additional floor space. There's much more room, he said, for people to move around once inside.
E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com
