MBTA to purchase new rail coaches

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority(MBTA) board of directors has approved the purchase of 75 new bi-level commuter rail coaches.  

Under a $190.2 million contract, Philadelphia-based Rotem USA Corp. Inc. will manufacture and deliver the coaches. The coaches will feature increased seating capacity, improved lavatory access and are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

Rotem USA Corp. will deliver four coaches by the end of 2010 with the remaining 71 coaches to be delivered by 2012. After all new coaches are delivered, MBTA’s commuter rail fleet will have 215 bi-level coaches. The procurement will allow for replacement of aging single-level coaches reaching their life expectancy of 25 years, with the bi-level coaches equipped to meet increasing service demands.