Hyundai Rotem HR5000

Hyundai Rotem HR5000
Conceptual design of HR5000
ManufacturerHyundai Rotem
AssemblyPalmdale, California, US (Kinki Sharyo)
ReplacedBreda A650 (second batch)
Constructed2026—present
Number under construction176
Number built6
Fleet numbers5001–5182
Operator
DepotDivision 20 (Los Angeles River)
Line servedB Line‍D Line
Specifications
Electric systemsThird rail, 750 V DC
Current collectionContact shoe
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The HR5000 is an electric multiple unit rapid transit car ordered from Hyundai Rotem for the Los Angeles Metro Rail's B and D lines.

Following a decision by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) not to purchase additional CRRC HR4000 trains, bids were sought for new subway trains. In January 2024, 182 cars were ordered from Hyundai Rotem, with options for 50 more cars. These will enter service prior to the 2028 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, with all trains in service by 2030.

History

As of 2025, the Metro Rail subway fleet is at least 32 years old, with the Breda A650 trains built in two batches between 1988 and 1997 and newer CRRC HR4000 trains which entered service in late 2024. New trains will allow for future replacement of all Breda A650 trains, expanded train service including a four-minute train frequency, and extensions of the D Line over three phases.

Cars will be delivered as married pairs, each with a capacity of 245 passengers. Trains will be capable of running in multiple with up to three married pairs at a time. Trains will enter service prior to the 2028 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, with all trains in service by 2030.

Contract

In 2017, Metro awarded a contract to CRRC for 64 trains, with contract options for 218 cars. These HR4000 trains were planned to enter service in 2020, but introduction to service was delayed until late 2024. Construction delays for trains were caused by supply chain issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Following these construction delays, and the passing of the Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act by Congress in 2019 which prevents the use of further federal funding for CRRC, Metro decided not to exercise the options in the CRRC HR4000 contract in 2022.

In December 2022, Metro began procuring new subway trains with a request for proposals. Three bidders took part: Hitachi Rail, Hyundai Rotem and Stadler Rail. All three manufacturers have production facilities in the United States. In February 2024, a $663.7 million contract for 182 cars was awarded to Hyundai Rotem, with options for 50 more cars. Although Hyundai Rotem's bid was more expensive than Stadler, Metro indicated that the contract was not solely awarded on price.

Production

In May 2025, Hyundai announced that Kinki Sharyo would complete the final assembly of the trains at their facility in Palmdale, California. By August 2026, the first pre-production train was undergoing testing at the Osong Railway Comprehensive Test Track, near Osong [ko], South Korea.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hymon, Steve (November 12, 2014). "Staff report on beginning process of acquiring new subway cars". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ↑ Chen, Anna (March 23, 2017). "More subway cars for Red/Purple Lines in the works". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Metro - File #: 2023-0496 Attachment D Presentation HR5000 New Heavy Rail Vehicle Procurement". metro.legistar.com. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024. Base Order 182 HRVs - Replace Existing Fleet (74 Cars), Support Purple Line Extensions – Section 2 & 3, Add Capacity for 4 Minutes Headway as committed to FTA
  4. 1 2 3 "Hyundai Rotem Wins $664MM LA Metro Order". Railway Age. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "2023-0738 - HR5000 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLE (HRV) PROCUREMENT - Metro Board Presentation HR5000 New Heavy Rail Vehicle Procurement" (PDF). metro.legistar.com. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024. Complete delivery of 36 base order cars April 2028 Complete delivery of all 182 base order cars by December 31, 2029
  6. ↑ Sotero, Dave (April 12, 2017). "Metro, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation hold signing ceremony for $178-million subway car contract". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  7. ↑ "These are first pair of 64 new subway cars on order. Arrived Sat night after road-tripping from assembly plant in Springfield, Mass. Look for 'em on B/D Lines next year. Watch the reveal 👇". Facebook. Metro. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Los Angeles receives first CRRC-built metro train". International Railway Journal. August 16, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "New LA Metro subway cars will feature New York-style bench seating". Daily News. August 18, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Section 7613 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020". Federal Transit Administration. February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024. Section 7613 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA 2020), Pub. L. No. 116-92 (Dec. 20, 2019), added new subsection 49 U.S.C. § 5323(u) to federal public transportation law. Section 5323(u) limits the use of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, and in some circumstances local funds, to procure rolling stock from certain transit vehicle manufacturers.
  11. 1 2 "2022-0677 - NEW HR5000 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLES PROCUREMENT - Metro Board". boardagendas.metro.net. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  12. ↑ "2023-0738 - HR5000 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLE (HRV) PROCUREMENT - Metro Board ATTACHMENT A PROCUREMENT SUMMARY HR5000 Heavy Rail Vehicle (HRV) Procurement" (PDF). metro.legistar.com. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024. All three of the proposals received were determined to be within the competitive range. The firms are listed below in alphabetical order: 1. Hitachi Rail, Los Angeles 2. Hyundai Rotem 3. Stadler US
  13. ↑ "2023-0738 - HR5000 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLE (HRV) PROCUREMENT - Metro Board ATTACHMENT A PROCUREMENT SUMMARY HR5000 Heavy Rail Vehicle (HRV) Procurement" (PDF). boardagendas.metro.net. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Hyundai Rotem, Kinkisharyo Contract for Final Assembly of New LA Metro Railcars". Metro. May 1, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  15. ↑ Batrak, Oleksandr (August 8, 2026). "LA Metro's First HR5000 Trainset Set for 3,000-Mile Testing". Railway Supply. Retrieved August 10, 2026.