Denver International Airport (DEN) on July 2 commemorated six brand new train cars taking their first passengers to the concourses. These new train cars are the first to be certified as operational and are part of DEN’s larger effort to upgrade its Automated Guideway Train System (AGTS) train that carries passengers between the terminal and concourses. A total of 26 new train new cars are expected to become operational throughout this year and into next year.
“Today marks an important milestone, as our train to the concourses play a crucial role in the passenger experience at DEN. With 77.8 million annual passengers and millions more expected year over year, we know we need the most reliable, durable and efficient infrastructure and systems to ensure as seamless an experience as possible,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said. “Over the next 15-18 months, we will replace more than half of our entire fleet and look to expand the number of train cars that are running at any given time to better meet current and future demand.”
The new train cars will increase the number of passengers that can be moved to the gates by approximately 850 people per hour. They will reduce the time between arriving trains and allow DEN to run a more effective operating schedule. In addition to increasing capacity, the new train cars, manufactured and maintained by Alstom, are also more energy efficient. The lightweight aluminum car bodies are assembled using recyclable materials and a more efficient power supply provides a greater than 30 percent improvement in energy consumption. These are the first vehicles of their type delivered in North America.
“Alstom is proud to begin a new chapter in our 30-year relationship with Denver International Airport, and to be part of the growth story at DEN, one of the busiest airports in the world. This next generation of airport mobility will bring better service for riders and a reduced environmental impact for the surrounding community. Manufactured in the U.S., and specifically designed for the airport, these trains are built to provide service frequency, safety and comfort for travelers from around the world,” said Michael Keroullé, President Alstom Americas.
There are currently 31 train cars in DEN’s fleet; 16 of those are 29 years old and have exceeded their useful life with more than 1.6 million miles. DEN is expanding the train fleet to 41 vehicles during 2024, with additional expansion under consideration. This will help ensure the airport can accommodate current and future passenger volume while maintaining these critical assets.
DEN currently operates a dynamic schedule based on passenger volume and can operate a maximum of seven, four-car trains during peak times. With the additional cars, the airport will be able to operate up to eight four-car trains, providing increased capacity. DEN is also evaluating the expansion of train car configurations, delivering more capacity and passenger convenience as the facility nears 100 million annual passengers.