The first batch of new Denver International Airport concourse train cars transported passengers on Monday, with 20 more set to hit the rails through 2025.
The 26 new train cars are expected to increase the number of passengers that can be moved to gates, shorten the time between train arrivals and improve energy efficiency, DIA officials said in a news release.
Six new train cars began operating Monday, with the remaining 20 coming online through next year.
“Today marks an important milestone, as our train to the concourses play a crucial role in the passenger experience at DEN,” airport Chief Executive Officer Phil Washington said in a statement. “With 77.8 million annual passengers and millions more expected year over year, we know we need the most reliable, durable and efficient infrastructure and systems to ensure as seamless an experience as possible.”
The new train cars will replace 16 of the airport’s 31-car fleet that are 29 years old and past their lifespan as well as increase the total number of train cars to 41, according to DIA officials. Airport leaders are also considering adding even more train cars.
DIA is also considering different train configurations to increase capacity, according to the release. The airport can currently run seven trains of four cars each at peak travel times, with the new cars increasing that to eight trains of four cars each.
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