Streetcars Shipped from Germany to Tacoma

Two streetcars, shipped from Germany, arrived at the Port of modern Bombardier Flexity streetcars Tacoma last week. They are being transported on special-purpose road trailers to Vancouver, B.C.

The streetcars arrived in Tacoma onboard the Tomar, a Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel on December 2, after a 10,460-mile journey from Germany (Bremerhaven-Zeebrugge-Southampton-Panama Canal-Port Hueneme-Tacoma).

Each of the two cars is manufactured by Bombardier Transportation and about 105 ft long. Transporting the cars from Tacoma to Vancouver, B.C. was handled by 21st Century Transport, Inc, with assistance from Chapman Hauling.

Bombardier Transportation, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, will provide free streetcar service for Vancouver residents and visitors on the Olympic Line from mid-January to mid-March 2010. They are expected to carry about 500,000 passengers during that time.

Steve Hall, Bombardier’s General Manager in Vancouver, said, “We are delighted to bring the first 100% low-floor streetcar to North America. The people of Metro Vancouver will now have the opportunity to experience first-hand the latest in European streetcar design during the excitement of the 2010 Winter Games.”