ALSTOM wins $187 million WMATA railcar contract

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) awarded ALSTOM an order valued at $187 million for the supply of 120 heavy rail subway cars. This order is the exercise of an option provided in an initial contract awarded by WMATA in June 2002 for the supply of 62 subway cars for the Blue Line extension to Largo Town Center. The railcars will be fitted with ALSTOM's ONIX traction drive propulsion system and an advanced cab signaling system. The 120 cars will help accommodate growth on the Metrorail system and be used to help WMATA to expand to eight-car trains.