Mitsubishi Electric qualified to bid for future NYCT’s CBTC projects

Japanese firm Mitsubishi Electric has been officially qualified to bid for future communications-based train control (CBTC) projects for New York City Transit (NYCT).

The company is the third CBTC supplier to receive approval from NYCT, which will enable Mitsubishi Electric to participate in the modernisation of railway signalling systems.

A part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NYCT plans to collaborate with multiple suppliers for the installation of CBTC systems on subway lines.

Mitsubishi Electric was declared qualified after successfully demonstrating the interoperability of the company’s solution with NYCT’s existing CBTC systems. It also fulfilled all of NYCT’s requirements for functionality and safety.

The Japanese firm has been engaged in the development of signalling systems since 1961.

Separately, MTA has launched new features to the Metro-North TrainTime app to benefit the passengers who use the Metro-North suburban commuter rail service.

The passengers can now track the location of the train, as well as find out the amount of space available on each car of an approaching train in real-time.

The features are expected to help the users in maintaining social distancing protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said: “The capacity-tracking update to the Metro-North TrainTime app provides another level of confidence for Metro-North riders as they come back to the system.

“The more information we can provide to help customers practise social distancing once they are on board, the better we can provide a safer and more pleasant ride for our customers.”

Last month, MTA trialled an air filtration and purification system to reduce the spread of Covid-19 on its commuter rail systems.