SF signs contract to manufacture 175 new Muni train cars

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee Friday signed a $648 million contract with Siemens to manufacture 175 new light rail vehicles.

The cars will eventually replace the current fleet. They will have a smoother breaking system and will be more durable.

"Currently, our fleet requires service at about 4,000 to 5,000 miles. These new trains will require service once they reach over 59,000 miles," San Francisco Supervisor London Breed said.

The light rail vehicles will be manufactured in a Siemens plant in Sacramento.

Much like BART did, Muni will seek input from the public about the interior design of the vehicles.

The new LRVs won't hit city streets until 2018.