New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched a procurement process to acquire 252 new single-level passenger coaches for the Metro-North Railroad.
The request for proposals (RFP) invites railcar manufacturers to submit designs for the base order, with an option for up to 377 additional coaches if required for future network expansion. The base order would replace older rolling stock currently operating on the Hudson and Harlem lines, much of which dates from the 1980s and 1990s.
The new procurement forms part of the MTA’s 2025–2029 capital programme, which includes wider investment in rolling stock and infrastructure across the network.
MTA Chair and Chief Executive Janno Lieber said:It’s time to upgrade the Metro-North passenger experience, with more modern, more reliable railcars. And this RFP is designed to get manufacturers and suppliers to think outside the box so they can deliver faster, better and cheaper than in the past.
The replacement programme focuses on the Shoreliner fleet, which represents a significant proportion of Metro-North’s active passenger vehicles.
The new coaches will include a mix of cab cars with toilets, trailer cars with toilets, and trailer cars without toilets. Each vehicle is expected to accommodate around 100 passengers.
MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Jessica Lazarus said:Replacing the ageing Shoreliner coaches from the 1980s will give Metro‑North’s riders the comfortable and convenient ride they deserve and operators the modern and flexible equipment they need to support reliable service for the next 40 years. The new approach in this RFP shows that the MTA is serious about being a better owner to attract multiple carbuilders with proposals that meet our rigorous safety and performance standards so we can close a deal that gives the MTA — and our customers the best value.
The technical specification for the new coaches includes features to improve accessibility and passenger facilities, such as wheelchair spaces, accessible toilet provision, audio induction systems for hearing-impaired passengers, digital information screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, charging points, bicycle storage and luggage space. The cars are also expected to include onboard security cameras and other safety systems.
The new fleet is also expected to deliver higher reliability compared with existing vehicles, measured through an increase in mean distance between failures, from around 430,000 miles to an estimated 570,000 miles.
Funding for the procurement is provided through the MTA’s capital programme, supported by state-level financing approved in the fiscal 2026 budget. The authority has allocated a portion of this funding specifically to railcar replacement across its commuter rail network.
Metro‑North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said:Investing in new passenger coaches is a cornerstone of our commitment not only to the 250,000 customers who rely on Metro‑North each day, but also to the economic vitality of the region. This competitive RFP invites railcar manufacturers to bring forward their best ideas and engineering solutions so we can deliver coaches that are more reliable, more accessible, and more comfortable for our riders.
With support from the MTA’s historic 2025–29 Capital Plan, this procurement represents a major step in modernising our fleet, enhancing the customer experience, and preparing Metro‑North for future service expansion.
Proposals will be accepted until October 2026. The contract is expected to be awarded in early 2027, with the first new coaches anticipated to enter service in 2029.
