Calif.’s NCTD Rolls Out New Locomotives, Overhauled Railcars

The North County Transit District (NCTD), with the support of regional transportation partners, rolled out five new Siemens locomotives and several renovated COASTER passenger cars.

Funding for the five new replacement locomotives came from a $10 million grant from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Carl Moyer Program, along with approximately $46.6 million from the State of California Senate Bill 1 (SB1). Funding for the overhaul of the COASTER coach and cab cars is provided from federal, state, and local sources. The COASTER cars will be painted with a new color scheme, and will be equipped with new seating upholstery, new carpet, upgraded LED lighting, and charging amenities at some seats.

In addition, NCTD will be receiving two replacement locomotives, two expansion locomotives, 10 expansion bi-level passenger coaches, and one replacement rail cab to support state of good repair needs and regional plans to increase train frequencies from 22 to 42 trains per average weekday over the next three to five years. The funding for the expansion equipment is being provided by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

“This event starts the clock on implementing new and improved COASTER services, consistent with SANDAG’s 5 Big Moves vision to provide high quality public transportation,” said SANDAG Chair Catherine Blakespear. “SANDAG is proud to have helped NCTD leverage their investment into the COASTER by providing $58.8 million toward an additional two new trainsets, supporting the region’s complete corridors strategy to provide competitive travel choices to support regional mobility and meet our state-mandated greenhouse gas emissions goals.”

NCTD is advancing a strategic five-year plan to implement low- and zero-emission technologies, introduce new and improved services and technologies, foster economic growth, support regional housing needs, and modernize infrastructure. This plan includes purchasing new vehicles for the rail and bus fleets, executing agreements to support the redevelopment of property owned by NCTD, and enhancing the customer experience by leveraging new technology, such as a new fare system and improved real-time information, and striving for zero operating delays.