Portland gets fifth United Streetcar

Written by Douglas John Bowen

Clackamas, Ore.-based United Streetcar, LLC has delivered its fifth streetcar to Portland, Ore., completing an order beset by manufacturing delays and potentially bolstering the company's credibility.

The fifth car, delivered to Portland Streetcar Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, is expected to go into revenue service on or around Nov. 15, company President Kevin Clark told local media. “We’re very pleased to have delivered it,” Clark said.

Portland Streetcar has an option for a sixth car for a discounted price, but likely will not exercise that option until United Streetcar catches up on deliveries to Tucson, Ariz., and Washington, D.C. Tucson has received two of the eight streetcars it ordered, while Washington, D.C. awaits three cars.

The company is actively competing for additional orders, reportedly including the pending order from Detroit’s M1 project, but is facing stiffening competition from numerous vendors large and small.

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