Kawasaki M9

Kawasaki M9
Years of manufacture	2017 to present
Length	85'
Width	10' 8"
Track gauge	4' 8.5"

The Kawasaki M9 is type of electric multiple unit (EMU) that is being manufactured for the Long Island Rail Road. They are taking delivery of 202 cars that will replace the Budd M3 cars as well as allow for expansion coincident with the East Side Access project.

History

Order

A Request For Proposals (RFP) for the M9 cars was issued in June 2012. The RFP package was picked up by twelve manufacturers. Six were deemed qualified to submit initial price and technical proposals of which three did so: Bombardier Transportation, CAF USA, and Kawasaki Rail Car. Best and final offers from each of the responding manufacturers were received in August 2013.

In September 2013, the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved a contract with Kawasaki Rail Car to supply up to 676 electric multiple units (EMUs) for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Commuter Railroad. The initial contract will provide 92 cars to the LIRR with options of up to 304 cars for the LIRR and up to 280 cars for Metro-North.

In 2018, the MTA exercised an option for 110 cars. This would allow them to phase-out the M3 cars and expand service.

Delivery

The preliminary schedule had 14 pilot cars were to start extensive testing in September 2016 for extensive testing. The remainder of the 92-car base order would begin delivery a year later and be completed by April 2018. This was later revised to a pilot car testing period of June 2017 to December 2017 and delivery period of June 2018 to January 2019. Following testing at the the Transportation Technology Center, Inc in Colorado, the first set of M9 EMUs was delivered to the LIRR in the first half of 2018.

The M9s were expected to enter service in May 2019, however the LIRR announced that this would be pushed back after a variety of issues came about during testing. By May 2019, the LIRR had 16 cars undergoing operational testing.

Service

On September 11, 2019, the first train of M9 cars entered service. The eight-car train departed Huntington at the start of morning rush hour. All 202 cars were expected to be in service by March 2021. However due to workmanship and quality issues compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, all base order cars were not accepted until May 2021. By June 2021, the 202nd carshell had commenced fabrication, and Kawasaki expected schedule shows the 202-car order to be accepted by April 2022.

Design

The exterior of the cars are mostly brushed stainless steel. On the sides of the cars towards the front, there is a stripe of deep blue and gold. Around the front windows, the area is deep blue. The M9 cars have exterior destination signs on the front, similar to the M8 cars on Metro-North’s New Haven Line.

Inside, the cars have electrical outlets on both sides of the car in each row of seats. The seats are slightly wider than those on the M7 cars and feature closed loop armrests that will not tear garments or catch bag straps. An electronic display lets passengers know what car within the train they are seated (for example, "Car 3 of 10").

There are threshold illuminating lights at the side and end doors. Doors at the end of the car are opened by pushing a button.

The lavatory features an automatic flushing toilet, sink, soap dispenser, and hand dryer. It also features an improved door and coat hook design.