​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Courtney Mims
Office: 410 -767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov

BALTIMORE, MD (APRIL 3, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration today announced the start of dynamic testing of the Purple Line light rail vehicles. This phase of testing will occur on the one-mile test track located adjacent to the project's Operations and Maintenance Facility along Veterans Parkway in Glenridge, Maryland. All eight light rail vehicles currently onsite are ready to begin dynamic testing.

“This is a monumental moment for the Purple Line as the project begins systems testing and brings us closer to service," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “With the project at 76% complete, seeing the light rail vehicles on the tracks is a welcome sight that shows our continued progress. Thank you to the team for their hard work and the public for your continued patience as we move closer to finishing the Purple Line."

Dynamic testing for light rail vehicles involves running trains on the tracks to evaluate multiple mechanical systems under real-world conditions. As the 142-foot light rail vehicles go back and forth over the one-mile track, team members overseeing safety, testing, operations and engineering as well as train operators will evaluate various onboard components such as the braking, propulsion, electrical, signaling and communication systems. Testing is initially confined to the test track. Purple Line trains will not yet operate on any public roadways or interact with other vehicles or pedestrians.

“Another major milestone for the Purple Line means a big step forward for Maryland's public transit future," said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “As the project transforms from primarily heavy construction into the testing phases, we are closer to our goal of connecting Maryland communities of Prince George's County, Montgomery County and the region."

To effectively test the trains, Purple Line Transit Operators will conduct dynamic testing during both daytime and nighttime hours. Once dynamic testing on the test track is complete, future phases of light rail vehicle testing will involve trains running on longer sections of the mainline track. Dynamic testing is expected to continue throughout 2026 as new light rail vehicles are received. It is a critical step to beginning passenger service in late 2027.

“Today is truly a transformative milestone in bringing the Purple Line to the region," said Ray Biggs, II, MTA Senior Project Director for the Purple Line. “Moving into the dynamic testing phase is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration of the Maryland Transit Administration, Purple Line Transit Partners, Maryland Transit Solutions and Purple Line Transit Operators along with support from our local and state elected officials."

“Purple Line trains making runs up and down the test track is a milestone we've all been working toward since the project began," said Purple Line Transit Partners Chief Executive Officer Doran Bosso. “Our enduring partnership with Maryland's Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration, coupled with many thousands of hours of work by design-build contractor Maryland Transit Solutions, have brought us to this exciting moment. Future passengers witnessing trains in motion will help them envision how the Purple Line will transform our region."

A media kit including video of Purple Line light rail vehicles moving on the test track is available on Dropbox Purple Line Light Rail Vehicle Testing Media Kit

The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. The Purple Line is a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. It will directly connect to Metrorail's Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. To learn more, visit purplelinemd.com, and follow Purple Line on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Bluesky and YouTube.