The Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont has announced that the state’s Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is purchasing 60 single-level coaches valued at EUR 285 million with options to order additional 313 carriages, as part of CTDOT’s tolling stock renewal programme.
The delivery of the first cars is expected in 2026 and will be prioritised for use on the Hartford Line, as well as the branches of the New Haven Line.
Under the contract, Alstom will deliver fully customised, sustainable, next-generation commuter rail cars specifically designed for North America, providing passengers with safe and comfortable services. The new rail cars will be designed to operate at 125 mph (200 km/h) and will all be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA) requirements and tailored for CTDOT. The final design will ultimately be a unique rail car specific for Connecticut riders.
“Having a modernised transit system with safe, comfortable, and convenient access to work, home, and fun is essential to attracting the kind of businesses and workforce talent we need to grow good-paying jobs and remain economically competitive,” Governor Lamont said.
The single-level coaches will have a convenient two-by-two seating configuration with foldable tables and easy access for wheelchair passengers. The new cars will also provide an enhanced passenger experience with convenient overhead luggage racks, workstation tables and a bicycle storage area, safe and reliable wi-fi access, real time information on upcoming stops, conveniently located power and USB access, and the most current cybersecurity safety features. In addition, passengers will enjoy panoramic balcony-style windows at wheeled mobility spaces, allowing for the flow of natural sunlight through the car’s interior, giving riders great views.
Each stainless steel 26-metre-long rail car will be designed for continuous operation of up to 24 hours and more than 1,930 km daily and will have at least a 40-year design life. The rail car is based on the Adessia rail car produced by Alstom.
The new cars will offer CTDOT passengers a reliable and fast regional rail option, reducing traffic congestion along the region’s interstates and the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet its 2030 targets.
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