SacRT is working on final preparations to launch new low-floor trains this summer. Part of that process requires us to test the new low-floor trains to simulate regular revenue service.

Day-Time Train Testing 

Starting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the new low-floor trains will travel between Watt/Manlove and 13th Street stations between noon and 2 p.m. each day. This means that the new low-floor trains will be operating on the tracks in-between the high-floor trains, stopping at stations; however, customers will not be able to board them just yet.

Decals will be on the windows and doors that read "Test Train, Do Not Board" and caution tape will be across the doors on the inside, preventing customers from boarding the new trains.

This phase of testing will take place during the day and after service hours as part of the final phase called "Burn-In", which involves putting the new low-floor vehicles through 1,000 miles of track operation.

Night-Time Train Testing 

Bus bridges (special shuttle buses) are in place on the north area Blue Line between Watt/I-80 and Royal Oaks stations for testing the new low-floor trains on the tracks between those stations during late night hours.

Bus bridge service is in place Monday through Friday from 11 p.m. through the end of service each day between Watt/I-80 and Royal Oaks stations.

The new trains are undergoing dynamic testing, which requires the trains to be on the track during revenue service to test multiple mechanical systems. Learn more on the new low-floor train testing process here: https://www.sacrt.com/newtrains

Bus Bridge Information (Monday - Friday)

Bus bridge (shuttle bus) will operate between Watt/I-80 and Royal Oaks stations Monday through Friday. The first trip will start at 11 p.m. and the last trip will depart at 1 a.m. The shuttles will be available every 30 minutes.

Stations with shuttle buses include:

• Watt/I-80 Station
• Watt/I-80 West Station
• Roseville Road Station
• Marconi/Arcade Station
• Swanston Station*
• Royal Oaks Station

*Swanston station is a request only station, if you need to get off at Swanston, please let the bus operator know.

More information on the testing process is available at https://www.sacrt.com/modernization.