Metra, the commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area, ordered from Alstom 200 push-pull commuter rail cars with a value of EUR 650 million. In January, the Board of Directors approved the procurement of 500 double-deck coaches from Alstom with a total value of USD 1.8 billion (EUR 1.51 billion). By ordering theses 200 coaches, Metra will have an option for 300 additional cars. The cars specified in the contract are a customised version of the Coradia Duplex model.
The multilevel cars incorporate new design features to improve passenger experience, including a streamlined, modern and welcoming interior, equipped with USB plugs and boasting large windows and a layout to improve passenger flow and passenger comfort.
The new cars will have enough seating area and spacing to allow for additional ridership and physical distancing. The new vehicles will have touchless doors and multiple wide doors on each side of the cars to reduce passenger boarding times and improve access to passenger areas. They will be equipped with improved bogie design for improved ride quality.
The 
new cars will also meet all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessibility requirements, including the addition of wheelchair lifts on each side of the vehicles.
Fleet reliability will be enhanced through modern, service-proven components and enhanced maintenance and diagnostic system capabilities that will allow Metra to have greater visibility on fleet operational performance and increase fleet availability.
The new eco-designed cars will be energy efficient, boasting improvements and developments such as full LED lighting and climate control regulation based on passenger load. The new rail cars will also be 90% recyclable.
The commuter rail cars will be built at Alstom’s rolling stock Centre of Excellence, and North America’s largest rolling stock manufacturing facility in Hornell, New York which will lead the project. Other Alstom sites will support the project including, Rochester, New York, for the automatic train control system.
Share on:
