NEW YORK’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority board approved a US$419m order on January 24 for 350 more R142 subway cars, to be supplied by Bombardier Transportation in 2002-03. The deal includes an option for 200 vehicles in the existing contract for 680, plus 150 cars to meet traffic growth.
Bombardier began delivering production five-car R142 trainsets in October 2000, following the completion of acceptance trials with two prototype sets. The small-profile units for NYCT’s IRT division are formed of two driving motor cars and three intermediate vehicles with one powered bogie per car. Bodyshells for the stainless steel cars are being manufactured at La Pocatière, with final assembly at Plattsburgh and Auburn in New York state.
MTA also decided to exercise another US$180m option with Bombardier, covering a further 100 series M-7 EMU cars for Long Island Rail Road. This is the third tranche from the May 1999 order for 192 M-7 cars, which included options for up to 808 additional vehicles. MTA exercised an initial option for 34 in October 1999, and the latest deal brings the firm orders up to 326 cars, at a total value of US$695m.
- New York City Transit is due to open bids on March 21 for a contract to supply 85 four-car and 64 five-car trainsets with AC drives; subject to approval by the MTA board, the order will be placed in October.
