USA: San Diego’s North County Transit District has awarded Siemens Mobility a 20-year contract covering technical support and material management services for up to nine Charger locomotives.
In 2018 NCTD ordered five charger locos to be delivered between March and June 2021 for use on Coaster commuter services, with an order for two more following last year.
The latest $29m agreement announced on September 15 includes base services over the 20-year term, with options for additional seven-year terms and overhauls which could take the value to a maximum of $47m.
Siemens Mobility will provide two full-time on-site employees for technical expertise, materials management and engineering support, with remote monitoring used to support condition-based maintenance.
‘Locomotive technology has changed considerably over the past several years, making it critical to ensure timely preventative maintenance materials management and preservation of warranty’, said Matthew O Tucker, Executive Director of NCTD. ‘To meet these goals and support NCTD’s Zero Delay programme for operations and maintenance, a long-term agreement with the original equipment manufacturer is the most prudent course.’
