Talgo-SYSTRA venture to rebuild Metrolink railcars
Will rebuild up to 121 Bombardier railcars operated by Metrolink for a total contract value of $138.9 million.


The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has awarded a Talgo-SYSTRA joint venture a contract to rebuild up to 121 Bombardier railcars operated
by Metrolink for a total contract value of $138.9 million. The base order is for 50
cars with an option for up to 71 additional cars.
The scope of the work includes updating the control voltage and battery system (charger and batteries), lighting, trucks, passenger communication system, remodeling restrooms, providing overhauled HVAC systems that are ecofriendly, updating door operators and controls, repainting the exterior, providing new seat cushions and coverings and installing new floor covering. This contract aims at improving the reliability and appearance of the existing fleet of passenger cars while complying with current standards and regulations for the benefit and comfort the passengers.
The success of the Talgo-SYSTRA joint venture was built on the board-approved
criteria such as past experience, qualifications of prime contractor and
subcontractors, financial capacity, management approach to work, overhaul capacity, capability and schedule acceptability, and systems and component integration, testing and qualification.
Overhaul work will be completed at Talgo’s facilities in Milwaukee, with delivery of the first cars to Metrolink expected 450 days following Notice to Proceed. After the first 10 Talgo-SYSTRA cars are received, Metrolink is planning for the delivery of batches of five cars every 90 days. The 50th car is expected to be delivered April 2023.
More Rail

Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →
Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Launches New Sounder Railcars into Service
Alstom manufactured all the cars under a $46.5 million contract and came into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.
Read More →