The NJ Transit board of directors approved the purchase of 50 additional Bombardier Multilevel Vehicles (MLVs) to help meet increasing ridership demand on the corporation’s busiest commuter rail lines.

The purchase will bring NJ Transit’s total number of the rail cars to 329. The cars offer 15 to 20 percent more seating capacity than the newest single-level cars in the fleet and feature comfortable interiors that were designed with customer input. Each of the new cars features an upper and lower seating level, as well as an open, intermediate "mezzanine" level at each end of the car.

A total of 170 MLVs have already been delivered, of which 143 are in service as of today.

State funding covers the $76 million price for the 50 MLVs and spare parts. Delivery of the 329th car is expected in the spring of 2010.