• Purpose & Need /
  Project History
• Decision-Making Process
• Funding
• Environmental Process
• Schedule
• Alternatives
• Stations / Land Use
• Operations
• Ridership
• Vehicles
• Community Issues
• Public Involvement
• Safety & Security
• Parking / Traffic /
  Pedestrians / Bicycles
• Cost to Construct
• Maintenance Facilities

Vehicles

74. Would Light Rail Transit vehicles on the Red Line be different than cars currently running on the Light Rail?

Yes, the Red Line light rail vehicles would be different than the current MTA light rail vehicles. The most significant difference is that the proposed Red Line LRT vehicles would have low floors, typically 14 inches above the top of rail, meaning passengers could walk directly onto the train from the platform without climbing stairs. The current Baltimore LRT vehicles have a floor height of 40 inches above the top of rail. Also, the proposed Red Line LRT vehicles would have a width in the range of eight feet, one inch to eight feet, eight inches, narrower than the existing MTA train width of nine feet, six inches. This would reduce the potential impact on existing streets and adjacent properties and allow the vehicles to fit more naturally into local neighborhoods.

75. Would BRT buses be different than regular MTA buses?

Yes, buses for the proposed Red Line would differ from buses used on regular MTA routes. The Red Line BRT buses will have a different look and feel. The body style and interior design of these BRT vehicles will clearly identify them as a part of the Red Line. BRT buses may also have low floors, allowing passengers to board without climbing stairs.

76. If BRT is selected, will MTA consider alternative fuel vehicles?

Yes. Alternative fuel vehicles for use on a Red Line BRT system are under consideration. MTA already has a number of hybrid diesel/electric buses on existing bus lines. These buses release fewer polluting emissions and are more fuel efficient than standard diesel buses. Some transit systems - Long Island, New York; Tacoma, Washington, and Albuquerque, New Mexico - are using buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), an alternative to diesel that burns cleaner and releases fewer pollutants. Additional alternative fuels are being developed for and integrated into the transit industry in the U.S. and around the world. The MTA will continue evaluating new alternative fuel technologies as they emerge to determine their applicability both to the Red Line and the entire MTA system.