As construction of the new Purple Line light rail makes steady progress toward its estimated opening in two years, News4 took an exclusive test ride.
“This is really exciting to be on the light rail vehicle and testing the light rail vehicles,” Purple Line Project Director Ray Biggs said.
The trains, which are 142 feet long and can hold a maximum of 432 people, will run from Bethesda to New Carrollton. Trains can reach a max speed of 55 miles per hour, but they won’t reach those speeds at certain sections of the track.
Although the line is a Maryland Transit Administration project, separate from Metro transit, the trains will connect with the Metro system’s Red, Green and Orange lines at various points between Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton.
The trains will also link to the MARC commuter rail, Amtrak, and local and regional bus networks, according to the project’s website.
”You will definitely be able to use your SmarTrip card and CharmPass. Without that we would not be able to integrate properly into the WMATA system,” Biggs said.
The line will connect Prince George’s County and Montgomery County. All of the tracks have been laid in Prince George’s County, with more tracks and power poles to be laid in Montgomery County.
The line will feature over two-dozen trains crisscrossing through Maryland intersections.
To keep traffic moving quickly and safely, they will be equipped with technology to communicate with nearby intersections.
More testing is to come before the line’s expected launch in late 2027.
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