The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDoT) board of directors has awarded a $118m contract to CAF USA to build new trains in support of the Green Line Extension (GLX) project.
As part of the contract, CAF will furnish and deliver 24 ninth-generation cars to help improve service reliability on the entire Green Line system. Nearly half of the funding is likely to be provided from a federal transit administration new start grant.
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MassDoT secretary and CEO Richard Davey said: "The board’s approval to purchase 40 new buses and build 24 new Green Line cars underscores the commitment MassDoT and the MBTA have to upgrading its ageing fleet.
"These new buses and cars will provide safer, more comfortable, accessible and environmentally friendly public transportation to the millions of customers the MBTA serves each day."
The new cars are expected to deliver a modern and comfortable passenger experience and will be designed as per the latest ADA requirements of 70% low-floor, four wheelchair/pushchair locations and ‘perch’ seats in the centre section.
The features in the new cars include dynamic computer controlled lighting, the incorporation of crash energy management, improved signage and information displays, as well as an internal and external video recording system covering the passenger compartment and doorways.
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By GlobalDataCAF will produce the shells and frames for the cars at its facility in Spain with final assembly and testing to be performed at its manufacturing plant in US.
Delivery of the new Green Line cars will take place between the end of 2017 and 2018.
The MassDoT is also likely to award a contract for 74 new Red Line cars and 152 new Orange Line cars later this year.
Image: A rendering of the new Green Line car. Photo: courtesy of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
