Alstom Coradia Multilevel
The Alstom Coradia Multilevel is a bilevel passenger rail car that will be built for Metra. The cars are a customized version of Alstom’s Coradia Duplex model.[1]
History
In April 2017, Metra issued a request for proposals (RFP) to provide 75 new gallery rail cars with an option to purchase more. CRRC Sifang America was the only manufacturer to respond. It was recommended that Metra issue a new RFP that accepted other bilevel car designs in hopes of attracting more manufacturers.[2][3]
On March 20, 2019, Metra issued an RFP for at least 200 new rail cars (with options for up to 200 more) that allowed manufacturers to propose alternative car designs to the gallery cars in the fleet. Proposals were due in August with a decision to be made by the end of the year. Because of yard space and platform lengths limiting the number and length of trains, an important consideration is seating capacity. Efficient passenger flow and amenities such as armrests, cup holders, USB ports, foot rests, tray tables, Wi-Fi (or provisions for Wi-Fi), bike racks (with a capacity of two to five bikes), and heated floors are also specified. Cars with level boarding could also benefit passengers with limited mobility.[4]
Metra received proposals from Alstom Transportation, Bombardier Transportation, and CRRC Corporation.[5] On January 13, 2021, the Metra Board of Directors approved the purchase of up to 500 bilevel rail cars from Alstom Transportation. The initial order is for 200 cars with an option to purchase 300 more. The cars will be manufactured at Alstom's facility in Hornell, New York. The first car is expected to be delivered 42 months after the contract is finalized, with the full base order complete 30 months later.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Metra Board approves purchase of up to 500 modern railcars." Press release. Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, 13 January 2021.
- ↑ "Metra to open railcar procurement to alternative car designs". Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation. Press release. 18 July 2018.
- ↑ "Metra to reissue rail-car RFP". Progressive Railroading, 19 July 2018
- ↑ "Metra issues RFP for new railcars that allows for alternative designs". Press release. Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, 20 March 2019.
- ↑ Vance, Steven. "Metra board chooses new modern passenger rail cars to replace 1950s “Gallery” cars." StreetsBlog Chicago, 13 January 2021.