USA: Having opted to bring the operation and maintenance of its Sprinter and Coaster commuter rail services in-house from June 26, San Diego’s North County Transit District has awarded Siemens Mobility a Technical Support & Spares Supply Agreement covering its Desiro diesel multiple-units. The deal announced on February 10 complements a similar agreement covering its nine Charger locomotives.
The Sprinter service from Escondido to Oceanside and the Coaster route from Oceanside to San Diego are currently operated under contract by Alstom as successor to Bombardier Transportation, but last year NCTD decided to bring operations in-house.
‘Insourcing our rail operations and maintenance will help us achieve significant operational efficiencies and build a culture of rail professionals who are committed to quality, safety and service. It furthers our organisational commitment to providing a world-class transportation experience for our customers’, said NCTD Executive Director Matthew O Tucker.
The $80m, 12-year TSSSA with Siemens Mobility covers the 12 two-car European-style Desiro DMUs used on the Sprinter service since 2008.
Full-time on-site Siemens Mobility employees will provide NCTD with technical expertise and materials management, project management and engineering support services. Siemens Mobility will also provide its CorMap digital asset management system for all vehicles in NCTD’s fleet, including its Bombardier Transportation BiLevel double-deck coaches.
There is an option to extend the TSSSA contract for a further three years.
