SF Muni Retires Breda Fleet, Welcomes Modern Era

San Francisco retires 151 Breda light rail vehicles after 29 years, replacing with larger Siemens fleet

SFMTA Retires Breda Light Rail Fleet After 29 Years

San Francisco's Muni Metro riders can take final trips on the iconic Breda light rail vehicles before they're retired after nearly three decades of service. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced Tuesday the 151-vehicle Breda fleet that's carried passengers since 1996 will soon be phased out completely. Jeffrey Tumlin, Director of Transportation, said the agency wants to give San Franciscans a chance to say goodbye to these vehicles before they're gone.

Three Decades of Service

The Breda trains entered service in 1996 and became workhorses of the Muni Metro system, officials said. Manufactured by Italian company AnsaldoBreda, the 151 vehicles served all Muni Metro lines throughout San Francisco for 29 years. The retirement marks the end of an era for the fleet that became a familiar sight in neighborhoods across the city. Transit agencies nationwide are replacing aging 1990s-era light rail vehicles with modern fleets featuring improved accessibility and energy efficiency.

Siemens Fleet Takes Over

SFMTA ordered 175 new Siemens S200 trains to replace the Breda fleet, with the first vehicles arriving in 2017. The new trains offer approximately 20% greater passenger capacity than the Breda vehicles they're replacing, according to the agency. The larger fleet size—175 vehicles compared to 151—will provide additional service capacity across the system. Officials didn't disclose the total procurement cost for the Siemens fleet.

Transition Nears Completion

The fleet replacement process that began in 2017 is now reaching its final phase, officials said. SFMTA hasn't announced a specific final service date for the last Breda vehicles but indicated retirement will happen soon. The agency typically provides advance notice before major service changes, though officials didn't specify whether they'll announce a ceremonial final run for the historic fleet.

Riders Encouraged to Experience History

Transit enthusiasts and regular commuters who want to ride the Breda trains one last time should plan trips soon, officials said. The vehicles have carried countless passengers through San Francisco's neighborhoods over nearly 30 years. Riders can check Moovit for real-time information on which Muni Metro trains are still operating Breda vehicles before the fleet's retirement is complete.