Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), one of the largest transit systems in the United States, recently announced it is purchasing 24 rail cars from Quebec-based Exo for $8.58 million.
The purchase includes 24 Bombardier coach cars manufactured in the late 1980s. SEPTA will transport the rail cars from Montreal and put them into service later this spring. The agency will modify the doors and other systems, and the cars will operate using SEPTA’s existing fleet of ACS-64 electric locomotives.
“These additional rail cars will help us enhance reliability and expand capacity for our customers while we work toward replacing our aging Regional Rail fleet,” SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said.
SEPTA used the nearly $220 million in additional capital the state government allocated in November to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements for the purchase.
In recent months, SEPTA has been in contact with North America-based transit agencies regarding the potential purchase of rail cars and placed 10 rail cars leased from Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail (MARC) into service earlier this year.
The move comes after the Federal Railroad Administration mandated inspections and repairs of SEPTA’s 50-year-old Silverliner IV fleet. The agency has completed most repairs and has committed to a maintenance program.