MONTREAL –Bombardier Transportation announced on August 30 that it was awarded an order by Metro-North Commuter Railroad in New York for the supply of 180 electrical multiple unit (EMU) commuter cars to replace its M-1 commuter car fleet. Valued at $500 million Cdn ($320 million US), the order calls for the design, manufacture and delivery of new M-7 commuter cars.
Commenting on today’s announcement, William Spurr, President of Bombardier Transportation, North America, said “Bombardier is extremely pleased to supply these new railcars to Metro-North Commuter Railroad. With the completion of this order, Bombardier will have provided all Metropolitan Transportation Agencies (MTA) with top quality passenger rail equipment. This order once again confirms Bombardier’s position as the leading supplier of passenger rail equipment in New York and North America as a whole. We commend the MTA on their decision to combine the rolling stock needs of both MTA commuter railroads and look forward to helping the MTA achieve their goal to better serve their customers.” The MTA together are the largest commuter railroad network in North America, serving more than 500,000 riders every weekday.
With the execution of this option, the M-7 contract now totals 858 cars including 666 option cars. If all future options are exercised, the entire contract would total 1,266 M-7 cars. The M-7 fleet is serving the needs of the MTA commuter railroad agencies, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Commuter Railroad. Should all options be exercised, the total contract would be valued at $2.89 billion Cdn ($1.85 billion US).
The M-7 stainless steel carbodies will be built at Bombardier’s La Pocatiere, Quebec plant with final manufacturing and assembly at the Plattsburgh, NY plant. Manufacturing will begin early next year and deliveries to Metro-North Commuter Railroad are scheduled for early 2004.
The M-7 vehicles will use state-of-the-art technology, including IGBT propulsion, energy efficient dynamic braking, on-board monitoring and diagnostic systems. The total vehicle design is focused on optimizing customer safety and comfort while ensuring excellent train performance and reliability.
In North America, Bombardier Transportation is the undisputed leader in high-speed rail, commuter rail, light rail, automated rapid transit and automated guideway transit systems. It also maintains two of the largest bi-level commuter fleets in Canada and the U.S.
Bombardier Transportation is the global leader in the rail equipment, manufacturing and servicing industry. Its wide range of products includes passenger rail cars and complete rail transportation systems. It also manufactures locomotives, freight cars, propulsion and controls and provides rail control solutions.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It also provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, the Corporation has a workforce of some 80,000 people in 24 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2002 stood at $21.6 billion Cdn ($13.9 billion US). Bombardier trades on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F).