MTA allocates .3 billion for the purchase of 316 new rail cars for LIRR and Metro-North services.

The finance committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has granted approval for the significant acquisition of 316 new rail cars, valued at .3 billion, intended for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad. This decision was made on Monday and represents a critical step in modernizing the rail services in the New York metropolitan area.

The newly approved rail cars, designated as M9A, will be designed and manufactured by Alstom Transportation, a company that has recently consolidated its position in the market through acquisitions. The M9A cars are expected to begin service in 2030, with a distribution of 160 units allocated to the LIRR and 156 units to Metro-North, set to be operational by 2032.

Tim Mulligan, head of car procurement for the MTA, emphasized the significance of this acquisition, noting that the M9A cars will replace the aging M3 train cars currently in operation for Metro-North. Furthermore, their introduction will allow LIRR to retire its M3 units, which have been extended in service following their original replacement by the M9 cars in 2019.

The need for the M9A cars is deemed long overdue, particularly highlighted by the initial plans to have 160 new train cars ready for the launch of LIRR service to Grand Central Madison in 2023. However, delays in the procurement process led the LIRR to temporarily reintroduce 100 older M3 cars from the 1980s to support the increased demand for services connecting Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal with the new Grand Central Madison.

The recent contract also includes provisions for the future purchase of an additional 100 to 242 cars, ensuring that the MTA has the flexibility to expand its fleet as needed. The initial solicitation from the MTA in 2019 attracted responses from two major companies: Bombardier Transit Corporation and China Rail Rolling Stock Corporation. However, complications arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, halting the procurement process temporarily. During this time, Alstom acquired Bombardier, which altered the competitive landscape for this contract. Additionally, regulatory changes instituted by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act restrict foreign ownership in critical infrastructure supplies.

Despite facing challenges throughout these negotiations, Mulligan reported that the MTA was able to achieve significant cost savings amounting to 5 million, even while working with a single manufacturer. The move to procure these new rail cars is expected to enhance the efficiency and capacity of public transportation in the region, addressing long-standing pressures and service demands.

As the MTA continues to modernize its operations, the approval of the M9A acquisition signifies a forward-looking approach to meet the infrastructure needs of the New York metropolitan transit system.

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