In addition to the initial contract announced in July 2006, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has placed orders for 300 additional Bombardier Transportation rapid transit cars. These orders are valued at approximately $331 million, bringing the total number of cars ordered by CTA to 706, and the total value of the contract to approximately $1 billion.
These next-generation rapid transit cars (known as the 5000-Series) will be the first in CTA’s fleet to utilize alternating current (AC) propulsion, a technology that permits dynamic braking regeneration, lowering energy and maintenance costs, and improving reliability. The new fleet of cars also will be equipped with an active suspension system to ensure that the car floor is level with the station platform during boarding, allowing passengers to board the train more easily.
Other features of the new cars include greater capacity, better communications systems, increased security and real-time diagnostics to improve reliability. The 5000-Series cars are being built at Bombardier’s manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y.