Bombardier Transportation signed a contract with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) for the supply of 260 new railcars. The order is valued at approximately $631 million.

The contract includes a first option order for 150 cars that BART intends to order later this month and additional options which, if exercised, would bring the total number of cars ordered to 775 and the total value of the order to approximately $1.5 billion.

Designated by BART as its "Fleet of the Future," the new cars will be used to replace BART''s entire existing fleet as well as for system expansion. They will offer a range of new features such as more doors to make boarding faster and easier; more priority seating for seniors and people with disabilities; more comfortable seats; bike racks; energy efficient lighting; interior and exterior digital displays showing passenger information; an improved public address system, including automated announcements; and improved onboard security cameras.

Delivery of 10 pilot cars is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2015, followed by comprehensive testing of the pilot cars on the BART system, then delivery of the 250 remaining production series cars between early 2017 and the spring of 2019.

The cars will be assembled at Bombardier's manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y.