Valley Metro’s Tempe Streetcar started delivery in early 2021, as part of a contract for the design, build and testing of six streetcars for the three mile system, to connect Tempe residents and visitors, as well as Arizona State University (ASU) students, with local hot spots and downtown favorites. Tempe’s Streetcar, like previous iterations of the Liberty Streetcar, features a lithium-ion battery onboard energy storage system (OESS) to traverse sections of the alignment without dependance on the overhead catenary system (OCS). The streetcar batteries recharge while connected to areas where there is overhead wire.
Tempe is the first generation of the Liberty NXT Streetcar with an all new external design. Also featuring a three section carbody connected by two articulation joints with more than 70 percent available low floor standing area, station-leveling and seat 40 passengers and the ability to comfortably transport 120 passengers.
