Latest in Streetcar Design Will Be on the Show Floor and Open for Tours in New Orleans

WESTWOOD, Mass. – SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C., the number one supplier of low-floor, light-rail vehicles in North America, will have ameriTRAM™—its prototype of the 100 percent low-floor, electro-hybrid streetcar specifically designed for North America—in booth #5732 at the American Transportation Association Expo in New Orleans. This will be the final destination of a year-long tour that included stops in Charlotte, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Phoenix and Tempe.

“We have had enthusiastic support and response from local government, transit officials and the public everywhere we have been with ameriTRAM,” said Bill Kleppinger, project manager of KINKISHARYO International. “Plus, we also drew attendees from cities all over the country to the various events. Being on the show floor at APTA will give everyone who was unable to make any of the city events a chance to see this revolutionary vehicle up close and get all their questions answered.”

ameriTRAM ™ is a 100 percent low-floor streetcar powered by e-Brid™, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries. e-Brid^TM charges the batteries while running on catenary power and when braking.  In battery mode, e-Brid^TM uses the stored electricity to operate at full performance without overhead wires. Depending on conditions, ameriTRAM™ can run on battery power for up to five miles.

The e-Brid™ propulsion system offers compelling advantages. Less electrification equipment and maintenance means that e-Brid™ saves municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs, including $5 – $6 million for every mile of catenary avoided.  Eliminating overhead catenary wires allows ameriTRAM™ to serve sensitive historic preservation areas and areas where installing overhead wires is just not practical, such as under low bridges. Also, because e-Brid™ enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM™ delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

ameriTRAM™ was specifically engineered for North America and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, NFPA-130 and ASME RT-1. What’s more, ameriTRAM™ has a modular design allowing the length of the cars to be increased thereby increasing passenger capacity without increasing the total fleet size.

“Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM to comply with North American regulations and standards, we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike,” added Kleppinger. “ameriTRAM’s 100 percent low-floor, energy-efficient and cost effective design is uniquely engineered for North America’s sustainable cities.”

More information is available at: www.ameritram.com.

About KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C.

KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C. is the number one supplier of low-floor light rail vehicles in North America.  It is the North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd., one of the most sophisticated rolling stock manufacturers customizing solutions for urban transit agencies worldwide since 1920.  Kinki Sharyo has supplied over 15,000 electric railcars—from light rail vehicles to high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains—that move hundreds of millions of passengers safely and efficiently.  Headquartered in Westwood, MA, KINKISHARYO International (www.kinkisharyo.com) has been redefining urban light rail transit systems throughout the U.S. for nearly three decades.

PHOENIX, AZ — METRO will host the ameriTRAM^TM modern streetcar vehicle to show the local community what streetcar is and the value this mode will bring with the development of the Tempe Streetcar project in the Mill Avenue corridor.

Attendees will have the opportunity to walk on this vehicle and talk with staff about this transit mode and the Tempe Streetcar project.  This is a free event and all are welcome!

Sunday, September 18
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. – stop by anytime
Veterans Way/College light rail station

Manufactured by Kinkisharyo, the ameriTRAM^TM offers hybrid technology where both overhead electricity and battery power are used to propel the vehicle.  However, this is just one example of a modern streetcar vehicle.  METRO will conduct a formal search for the Tempe Streetcar vehicle in 2012.

Tempe Streetcar will be the region’s first introduction to modern streetcar.  The line will run 2.6 miles between Rio Salado Parkway and Southern Avenue in the Mill Avenue corridor.  Construction is anticipated to begin in 2013 with completion by 2016.  It will be built using a mix of regional Proposition 400 and federal dollars.

For more information on Tempe Streetcar, visit www.metrolightrail.org/tempestreetcar.  For more details on the ameriTRAM^TM vehicle, visit www.ameritram.com.

Mayor James & Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders Appearance at 6:45 AM & 5:30 PM– Tuesday, Aug. 23

Quixotic Fusion Performance at 6:00 PM!

Public Welcome All Day!

(Kansas City, Mo.) – Hey Kansas City! Here is your chance to see the future in transportation – the Modern Streetcar Party, sponsored by the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance (KCRTA)! The public is invited to come by Union Station, Tuesday, August 23 for their chance to marvel at the next generation of transit in Kansas City.

The KCRTA is hosting this event to help build momentum for the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA) and to give a “sneak peek” at a modern streetcar alternative that is being considered as one option for a possible expanded regional transit system.

The Downtown Corridor AA focuses on transit options in a narrow two-mile corridor running from the River Market on the north, through the Central Business District and the Crossroads areas to Union Station and Crown Center on the south. It will compare modern streetcars to an expanded bus service/Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and “no-build” alternatives, leading to the identification of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).

According to the KCRTA Chairman Kite Singleton, “the modern street car alternative would provide the impetus for a much larger system and complement other initiatives currently being planned or implemented throughout the region.”

At 6:45 AM Mayor Sly James and Jackson County Executive, Mike Sanders will be the first to board the Modern Streetcar in front of Union Station. Representatives for the ameriTRAM™ Modern Streetcar will also be on hand for interviews. Media is welcome and interviews are encouraged! See attached for more information about the ameriTRAM™ Modern Streetcar.

The public is invited to tour the Modern Streetcar from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM in front of Union Station. Those who tour the Streetcar will receive a discounted lunch coupon good at select Union Station eateries the day of the event. They also have an opportunity to win big prizes, like KC Chiefs tickets and more.

From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, KC Wolf, the Chief’s mascot, will join the party to meet and greet the public during a live radio broadcast. Kite Singleton, Chairman of the KCRTA, will also be available to for interviews.

Throughout the day a public open house will be held in the Grand Hall of Union Station where information about the Downtown Corridor AA will be displayed. The public can review project exhibits of potential routes for the downtown starter line and provide comment.

The Downtown Corridor AA that is currently underway will conclude at the end of this year. Funded by a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant, the study area was approved by a City of Kansas City Council resolution. The potential for downtown transit expansion will better connect our major activity and employment centers. The final recommendation will include a viable plan to fund the construction, operation, and maintenance of the 2-mile starter line. The Partnership Study Team consists of the City of Kansas City, Mo.; the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; Mid-America Regional Council; and Jackson County, Mo.

Live Presentation, Performance & Press Conference – 5:30 to 6:15

From 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. a live presentation by City and County representatives and a special “transportation themed” performance by Quixotic Fusion will be held in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room on the first floor of Union Station.

Quixotic Fusion performance artists combine raw artistry with unpredictable aerial maneuvers, ballet and modern dance, original live music and high fashion design.

The agenda includes -

• Mayor Sly James
• Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders
• Russ Johnson, City Councilman, Kansas City Missouri City
• Mark Huffer, General Manager, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA)
• Quixotic Fusion Performance

Parking for the event is available behind Union Station. Metro bus service is also available. Please log on to www.kcata.org to access schedules serving Union Station or call the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660. For more event information call 816-471-6808 or visit www.kcrta.org. For media inquiries please contact Jayne Siemens at 913-268-0606 or jsiemens@vencomm.com

Thursday, August 11, 2011, streetcar manufacturer Kinkisharyo will bring their latest vehicle to Austin for a public viewing. Between 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., the streetcar will be on display at 4^th Street at Brush Square Park, just north of the Convention Center.

The U.S.-made streetcar manufacturer will bring their newest recently unveiled streetcar, the ameriTram, to Austin next week to give interested parties a first-hand look.

“This is a great opportunity Austinites to see and feel the possible future of our transportation system,” said Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The City of Austin is continuing its Urban Rail planning efforts and officially began in April the process of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the City’s proposed Urban Rail system. For more information on the City’s Urban Rail project, visit: www.austinurbanrail.com.

Vehicle parking will be available at the Convention Center, here, and bicycle parking is available outside the building. You may also attend the event using the Capital Metro Red Line or bus service. To view transit schedules, visit www.capmetro.org.

WESTWOOD, Mass. – APRIL 29, 2011 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C., the number one supplier of low-floor, light-rail vehicles in North America, demonstrated the ameriTRAM—its prototype of the 100 percent low-floor, electro-hybrid streetcar specifically designed for North America—in Dallas, TX. At a special ceremony today, KINKISHARYO displayed and provided officials and invited guests rides in the ameriTRAM.

“We thank the City of Dallas and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit for allowing us to exhibit our ameriTRAM here. We also very much appreciate the City of Dallas’s courtesy of providing us this outstanding venue for us to introduce ameriTRAM to Texas,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of KINKISHARYO International.

ameriTRAM™ is a 100 percent low-floor streetcar powered by e-Brid™, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries. e-BridTM charges the batteries while running on catenary power and when braking. In battery mode, e-BridTM uses the stored electricity to operate at full performance without overhead wires. Depending on conditions, ameriTRAM™ can run on battery power for up to five miles.

The e-Brid™ propulsion system offers compelling advantages. Less electrification equipment and maintenance means that e-Brid™ saves municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs, including $5 -$6 million for every mile of catenary avoided. Eliminating overhead catenary wires allows ameriTRAM™ to serve sensitive historic preservation areas, or where installing overhead wires is just not practical, such as under low bridges. Also, because e-Brid™ enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM™ delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
ameriTRAM™ was specifically engineered for North America and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, NFPA-130 and ASME RT-1. What’s more, ameriTRAM™ has a modular design allowing the length of the cars to be increased thereby increasing passenger capacity without increasing the total fleet size.

“Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM to comply with North American regulations and standards, we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike,” added Hombach. “ameriTRAM’s 100 percent low-floor, energy-efficient and cost effective design is uniquely engineered for North America’s sustainable cities.”

“We thank the city of Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System for allowing us to test our prototype here. We also very much appreciate the city of Charlotte’s courtesy of providing us this outstanding venue for us to introduce ameriTRAM^TM to North America,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of Kinkisharyo International.

ameriTRAM^TM is a 100-percent low-floor streetcar powered by e-Brid^TM, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries. e-Brid^TM charges the batteries while running on catenary power. In battery mode, e-Brid^TM uses electricity stored from regenerative braking. Depending on conditions, ameriTRA can run on battery power for up to five miles.

“Municipalities across the country have greater expectations of their urban transit solutions providers and the products and services they deliver,” Hombach said. “This new generation of streetcars must reduce capital investment and operational costs, improve environmental performance, offer greater aesthetics, enhance public safety and provide overall greater value,” Hombach added. “We’ve listened to our customers and that’s why we specifically engineered ameriTRAM^TM for North America. With its 100 percent low-floor and e-Brid^TM propulsion technology, we are confident ameriTRAM^TM’s arrival is well timed and will be well received,” Hombach noted.

The e-Brid^TM propulsion system offers compelling advantages. Less electrification equipment and maintenance means that e-Brid^TM saves municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs, including $1 -$2 million for every mile of catenary avoided. Eliminating overhead catenary wires allows ameriTRAM^TM to serve sensitive historic preservation areas, or where installing overhead wires is just not practical, such as under low bridges. Also, because e-Brid^TM enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM^TM delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

ameriTRAM^TM was specifically engineered for North America and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, NFPA-130 and ASME RT-1. What’s more, ameriTRAM^TM has a modular design and can be expanded to comprise up to seven cars without increasing a municipality’s fleet size.

“ameriTRAM^TM is not a foreign or outdated design forced to work in North America,” Hombach said. “Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM^TM to comply with North American regulations and standards, but we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike. ameriTRAM^TM’s 100 percent low-floor, energy-efficient and cost effective design is uniquely engineered for North America’s sustainable cities,” Hombach added.

WESTWOOD, Mass. – JANUARY 20, 2011 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C., the number one supplier of low-floor, light-rail vehicles in North America, announced the ameriTRAM^TM—its prototype of the 100 percent low-floor, electro-hybrid streetcar specifically designed for North America—has completed engineering tests and trials and is proven ready for the North American market. With testing of its prototype now finalized, KINKISHARYO today unveiled the newly-named streetcar—ameriTRAM^TM—to the public at a special ceremony in Charlotte, NC.

“We thank the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System for allowing us to test our prototype here. We also very much appreciate the City of Charlotte’s courtesy of providing us this outstanding venue for us to introduce ameriTRAM^TM to North America,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of KINKISHARYO International.

ameriTRAM^TM is a 100 percent low-floor streetcar powered by e-Brid^TM, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries. e-Brid^TM charges the batteries while running on catenary power. In battery mode, e-Brid^TM uses electricity stored from regenerative braking. Depending on conditions, ameriTRAM^TM can run on battery power for up to five miles. “Municipalities across the country have greater expectations of their urban transit solutions providers and the products and services they deliver,” Hombach said. “This new generation of streetcars must reduce capital investment and operational costs, improve environmental performance, offer greater aesthetics, enhance public safety and provide overall greater value,” Hombach added. “We’ve listened to our customers and that’s why we specifically engineered ameriTRAM^TM for North America. With its 100 percent low-floor and e-Brid^TM propulsion technology, we are confident ameriTRAM^TM’s arrival is well timed and will be well received,” Hombach noted.

The e-Brid^TM propulsion system offers compelling advantages. Less electrification equipment and maintenance means that e-Brid^TM saves municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs, including $1 -$2 million for every mile of catenary avoided. Eliminating overhead catenary wires allows ameriTRAM^TM to serve sensitive historic preservation areas, or where installing overhead wires is just not practical, such as under low bridges. Also, because e-Brid^TM enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM^TM delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

ameriTRAM^TM was specifically engineered for North America and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, NFPA-130 and ASME RT-1. What’s more, ameriTRAM^TM has a modular design and can be expanded to comprise up to seven cars without increasing a municipality’s fleet size.

“ameriTRAM^TM is not a foreign or outdated design forced to work in North America,” Hombach said. “Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM^TM to comply with North American regulations and standards, but we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike. ameriTRAM^TM’s 100 percent low-floor, energy-efficient and cost effective design is uniquely engineered for North America’s sustainable cities,” Hombach added.

WESTWOOD, Mass. – NOVEMBER 30, 2010 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C. announced today that the prototype of its ameriTRAM^TM, a 100 percent low-floor, dual-powered ‘hybrid’ streetcar specifically designed for North America, will arrive in the U.S. in mid-December. Following a series of tests, the ameriTRAM^TM will be unveiled to the public and industry in Charlotte, North Carolina in January, 2011.

“We are thrilled to be on schedule with the introduction of our ameriTRAM^TM to the U.S. market. We are confident that our completely low floor, dual-powered hybrid streetcar will be well received by transportation officials, city planners and riders alike,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of KINKISHARYO International. “We appreciate the cooperation from the City of Charlotte and members of the Charlotte Area Transit System as we continue our work leading up to our official unveiling in January,” Hombach added.

The ameriTRAM^TM is a hybrid vehicle propelled by either overhead electric catenary or on-board battery power. In battery powered mode, it uses electricity stored from regenerative braking and by charging the batteries while running on catenary, minimizing total power consumption. As an electric hybrid vehicle, it does not emit fumes that contribute to smog and greenhouse gasses. The ameriTRAM^TM has been specifically designed for North America and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America and NFPA-130.

The ameriTRAM^TM will also debut in other U.S. cities in the coming months. Following Charlotte, for example, the ameriTRAM^TM will be displayed in Dallas, and KINKISHARYO is presently in discussion with officials from other cities also interested in hosting the ameriTRAM^TM for display or demonstration. KINKISHARYO welcomes inquiries from transit authorities across the country also interested in displaying the ameriTRAM^TM in their local markets.

“The ameriTRAM^TM is the ideal streetcar for downtown and historic areas, particularly those with preservation or aesthetic requirements where overhead catenary power is not feasible. The ameriTRAM^TM defines the new standards for light rail vehicles because it reduces operational costs, improves public access and safety, is environmentally responsible and delivers overall greater value,” Hombach added.

KINKISHARYO has been delivering urban transit solutions in the United States for nearly three decades. Its custom-engineered, light-rail vehicles can be seen in many metropolitan centers, including Seattle, Washington; Phoenix, Arizona; Jersey City, New Jersey; San Jose, California; Dallas, Texas; and Boston, Massachusetts. KINKISHARYO’s parent company, The Kinki Sharyo Co. Ltd., and its affiliates, have been delivering rail solutions around the globe since 1920, including recently announced rail projects in Cairo, Egypt and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

U.S. streetcar advocates have clashed with an unexpected adversary— historic preservation interests—as efforts to return streetcars to American urban roadways have gained momentum. Exaggerated or not, fear of “unsightly wires” has slowed or stymied streetcar placement, most notably but not exclusively in Washington, D.C.’s federal district. That makes Kinkisharyo International, LLC’s introduction last month of its ameriTRAM™ “hybrid” streetcar not just a dual-powered vehicle in the engineering sense, but also a political “power” to be reckoned with. Osaka, Japan-based Kinkisharyo will officially unveil its newest product in the U.S. sometime in November at an unspecified location. “Don’t be shocked if the nation’s capital offers an ideal debut venue,” says one industry observer.

The ameriTRAM™, a 100% low-floor vehicle, is propelled by traditional overhead electric catenary like other streetcar designs, but also can tap on-board battery power. In battery-powered mode, it uses electricity stored from regenerative braking and by charging the batteries while running on catenary, minimizing total power consumption and, presumably, increasing its potential travel distance without catenary support. Kinkisharyo says the ameriTRAM™ has been specifically designed for North America and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America, and NFPA-130. The ameriTRAM™ also appears designed to finesse “twin pincers” political objections from localities and interest groups objecting both to the supposed “visual blight” of overhead wires and the air-quality impact of diesel light rail transit (DLRT) or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) options (RA, Sept. 2008, p. 65).

Measuring a trim 8 feet, 8.3 inches in width and 65 feet, 7.4 inches in length, the ameriTRAM™ has a combined seating/standing capacity of 106 passengers per car, tapping 750V DC under catenary (as per numerous North American LRT systems) and offering a maximum 50 mph speed; the vehicle can handle grades of 6%. A Li-ion rechargeable battery (40kWh) is aided by electrical regenerative braking, which in turn augments spring-applied hydraulic brakes.

“In this new economy, cities across North America have greater expectations of their urban transit solutions providers. Kinkisharyo understands that our customers expect more value today. Through technical innovation, we can deliver more in terms of economic performance, environmental responsibility, and public safety,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager. Hombach makes clear Kinkisharyo believes the ameriTRAM™ “is the ideal streetcar for downtown and historic areas, particularly those with preservation or aesthetic requirements where overhead catenary power is not feasible.” As well, the company notes, “Clearances for overpasses, viaducts, and city events are no longer hindered by overhead catenary wire.”

Physical barriers aside, the market potential for the ameriTRAM™ exists in numerous U.S. cities where many are wary (or downright fearful) of overhead wire, whether hosting specific special districts, such as in Washington, or not , such as Hoboken, N.J. Indeed, Kinkisharyo light rail cars traverse the western border of Hoboken as part of Hudson- Bergen Light Rail Transit; HBLRT’s route serving the city was decided in part on the perceived visual impact overhead wire might cause.

Washington may be the best potential showplace for the ameriTRAM^TM. In July, the city’s District Council approved an initial first leg of a planned 37-mile, $1.5 billion streetcar system for the city, including overhead wires along Benning Road and H Street NE, as it also debated extensions into prime tourist destinations (and government buildings). Temporary legislation specifically prohibits overhead wires around the National Mall and creates a public process for determining whether the wires can be used in other parts of the city, addressing in part objections from groups such as the National Capital Planning Commission and the National Park Service, fearful of visual impacts on “view corridors.” Participants of the compromise hope some kind of dual-powered streetcar could be purchased by the time the city was ready to build the system. By accident or design, the timing of Kinkisharyo’s ameriTRAM™ introduction to the U.S. market may be just what U.S. streetcar advocates and transit agencies ordered.

WESTWOOD, MA – SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 – KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C. announced today that technical innovation will drive its North American growth strategy, including the introduction of a 100 percent low-floor, dual-powered ‘hybrid’ streetcar that has been specifically designed for the United States. The first ameriTRAM^TM will be unveiled in the U.S. in November, 2010.

“In this new economy, cities across North America have greater expectations of their urban transit solutions providers. KINKISHARYO understands that our customers expect more value today. Through technical innovation, we can deliver more in terms of economic performance, environmental responsibility and public safety,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of KINKISHARYO International, L.L.C. “Later this year we will introduce in the United States our newest technical innovation—the ameriTRAM^TM—a 100 percent low-floor, dual-powered ‘hybrid’ streetcar. We believe the ameriTRAM^TM, together with our full service approach, will define the new standards for light rail vehicles, including reduced operational costs, improved public access and safety, environmental sustainability and overall greater value,” Hombach added.

The ameriTRAM^TM is a hybrid vehicle propelled by either overhead electric catenary or on-board battery power. In battery powered mode, it uses electricity stored from regenerative braking and by charging the batteries while running on catenary, minimizing total power consumption. As an electric hybrid vehicle, it does not emit fumes that contribute to smog and greenhouse gasses. The ameriTRAM^TM has been specifically designed for North America and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Buy America and NFPA-130.

“The ameriTRAM^TM is the ideal streetcar for downtown and historic areas, particularly those with preservation or aesthetic requirements where overhead catenary power is not feasible,” Hombach added.

KINKISHARYO has been delivering urban transit solutions in the United States for nearly three decades. Its custom-engineered, light-rail vehicles can be seen in many metropolitan centers, including Seattle, Washington; Phoenix, Arizona; Jersey City, New Jersey; San Jose, California; Dallas, Texas; and Boston, Massachusetts. KINKISHARYO’s parent company, The Kinki Sharyo Co. Ltd., and its affiliates, have been delivering rail solutions around the globe since 1920, including recently announced rail projects in Cairo, Egypt and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
KINKISHARYO International will be participating at InnoTrans 2010, the largest rail transport technology trade show in the world, which runs from September 21 – 24, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

WESTWOOD, MA – SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 – Kinki Sharyo, one of the most sophisticated rolling stock manufacturers in Japan, has been customizing solutions for urban transit agencies worldwide since 1920. Kinki Sharyo has supplied a wide variety of over 15,000 electric railcars, from light rail vehicles to high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. Recently, Kinki Sharyo again combined forces with Mitsubishi Corporation and Toshiba Corporation and entered into two contracts with Cairo Metro to supply an additional 88 cars (11 train sets) to be delivered from 2012 – 2013.

At the InnoTrans 2010 Conference beginning September 21, attendees can discuss Kinki Sharyo’s role in developing and supplying 11 train sets for two separate lines within Cairo Metro’s network, which moves 2.5 million passengers every day. These new trains follow an order for seven sets (56 cars) placed by Cairo Metro in 2007. Kinki Sharyo, Mitsubishi and Toshiba have a strong record of collaboration and have delivered 1,400 railway cars over the past 40 years.

KINKISHARYO International, LLC, Kinki Sharyo’s North American subsidiary, is built on the heritage of technological innovation, tailored solutions and customer service, making it the leading manufacturer of low-floor, light rail vehicles in the United States.

Rainer Hombach, P.E., Vice President and General Manager of KINKISHARYO International, will be at InnoTrans 2010 to meet with industry participants and members of the media. He will also be available to offer an introduction to the company’s newest product, a 100 percent low-floor, hybrid streetcar—the ameriTRAM^TM—and its upcoming U.S. launch in November, 2010.

Members of the media are welcome to schedule meetings or telephone interviews.

WESTWOOD, MA – SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 – Kinki Sharyo, one of the most sophisticated rolling stock manufacturers in Japan, has been customizing solutions for urban transit agencies worldwide since 1920. Kinki Sharyo has supplied a wide variety of over 15,000 electric railcars from light rail vehicles to high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. The most recent product is the highly praised, fully automated metro vehicle that began service in September, 2009 in Dubai, UAE.

At the InnoTrans 2010 Conference beginning September 21, attendees can discuss the driverless, fully automated trains, which are designed to meet Dubai’s specific requirements. Unique to metro operations, Dubai’s tailored five-car set trains offer standard “silver” class, a section reserved for women and children, and a first-class “gold” section reserved for dignitaries.

KINKISHARYO International, LLC, Kinki Sharyo’s North American subsidiary, is built on the heritage of technological innovation, tailored solutions and customer service, making it the leading manufacturer of low-floor, light rail vehicles in the United States.

Rainer Hombach, P.E., Vice President and General Manager of KINKISHARYO International, will be at InnoTrans 2010 to meet with industry participants and members of the media. He will also be available to offer an introduction to the company’s newest product, a 100 percent low-floor, hybrid streetcar—the ameriTRAM^TM—and its upcoming U.S. launch in November, 2010.

Members of the media are welcome to schedule meetings or telephone interviews.

• Powered by e-Brid^TM propulsion technology, ameriTRAM^TM is the electro-hybrid, emission-free streetcar…it consumes less electricity and eliminates polluting emissions.
• ameriTRAM^TM also sustains sensitive areas because overhead catenary wires are eliminated. Its clean design and operation are ideal for downtown and historic preservation areas.
• ameriTRAM^TM is the only light rail vehicle supplier in North America to establish local final assembly facilities for each project. That means ameriTRAM^TM creates jobs and contributes to local economies.
• Environmental responsibility…historic preservation…economic development…
• ameriTRAM^TM is the most sustainable, aesthetic streetcar in North America.

Technical Specifications

• ameriTRAM^TM 300
• ameriTRAM^TM 500
• ameriTRAM^TM 700

Driven by innovation

ameriTram is engineered with safety and sustainability in mind and is the ideal streetcar for downtown and historic areas, particularly those with preservation or aesthetic requirements where overhead catenary power is not feasible. ameriTram is designed exclusively for North America’s modern urban areas:

• Environmentally responsible – Zero emission, e-Brid^TM propulsion with lower energy usage means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air
• Greater aesthetics – Downtown and historic areas remain free of catenary wires, ideal for sensitive preservation areas
• Improved passenger access – With 100 percent low floors, the ameriTram provides safer, easier access and complies with all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
• Reduced energy usage – ameriTram will deliver immediate savings through lower electricity usage
• Greater utility – Powered by wireless lithium-ion batteries, ameriTram provides propulsion where overhead catenaries cannot be installed
• Improved public safety – Dual powered hybrid design ensures safe transport of passengers even in power outages

Pioneering safety

ameriTram is built on a heritage of safety and technological innovation:

• Pioneered the industry’s first crashworthy low-floor light rail vehicle for North America, which included recessed couplers and energy-absorbing bumpers
• Launched the first Design-Build-Operate-Maintain transit operation in the U.S. with crash energy management car bodies and streetcar clearance envelopes that outperform the industry’s reliability expectations by a factor of three
• Low-floor design provides exceptional passenger loading and unloading, limiting curb-side dwell times
• The speed of ameriTram is consistent with downtown street traffic
• e-Brid^TM propulsion allows safe operations even during power outages

Headquartered in Westwood, MA, KINKISHARYO has been redefining urban light rail transit systems throughout the U.S. for nearly three decades.

Contact

KINKISHARYO International, LLC
US Headquarters

400 Blue Hill Drive
Suite #3B
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: 1-888-4-SHARYO (474-2796)
Email: info@ameriTram.com

KINKISHARYO International is the North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd., one of the most sophisticated rolling stock manufacturers customizing solutions for urban transit agencies worldwide since 1920. Kinki Sharyo has supplied over 15,000 electric railcars—from light rail vehicles to high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains—that have moved hundreds of millions of passengers safely and efficiently.