Metra, the rail operator in the Chicago area, has chosen Alstom to supply 200 push-pull commuter railcars.
Metra’s board approved the decision to award the vehicle procurement contract for up to 500 railcars to Alstom in January. The initial order for 200 cars is worth in the region of 650 million euros. Alstom will build the railcars in Hornell, New York. It is Alstom’s rolling stock centre of excellence as well as the largest rolling stock manufacturing facility in North America. Other supporting sites include Rochester, New York, which will be responsible for the automatic train control system.
“Alstom is pleased to have been selected by Metra to provide the latest in multilevel car design. Alstom continues to invest and support investment in U.S. railroad infrastructure, and these new cars will allow Metra to extract maximum value from their fleet investments by increasing fleet reliability, enhancing overall passenger experience and ensuring maximum accessibility for all passengers.”
The multilevel cars will feature an improved bogie design, which will result in a smoother ride. Alstom will also fit the cars with maintenance and diagnostic system capabilities that will give Metra a clearer overview of the fleet’s operational performance, including fleet availability. The climate-control technology will take passenger load into account, thereby avoiding wasting unnecessary energy. The new railcars will also be 90 percent recyclable.
The railcars will meet all the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessibility requirements.
