Brazil’s transit operator Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo (CMSP) has awarded a 383m reals ($193m) contract to a consortium led by Canada’s Bombardier Transportation to modernise 156 passenger rail cars.

Under the contract, Bombardier will work with two Brazilian companies, Temoinsa and Tejofran, to update the 26 six-car trains.

Bombardier’s share of the contract is 238m reals ($120m).

The consortium will work to modernise the 30-year-old electric multiple units operating on CMSP’s Metro Line 1-Blue in Sao Paulo.

The modernisation plan includes renovating door systems and bogies as well as the installation of new interiors, propulsion systems, communication and air-conditioning systems.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in August 2010.