WASHINGTON — Metra will receive $100 million to purchase 50 new multilevel commuter rail cars, the Federal Transit Administration announced today, part of almost $631 million in federal funding awarded through the FTA’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.
Other awards — to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Maryland Transit Administration — had previously been announced by members of local congressional delegations [see “SEPTA receives $317 million grant …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 17, 2024, and “Maryland to receive $213 million grant …,” News Wire, Feb. 21, 2024].
Metra placed an order for 200 new multilevel cars from Alstom in January 2021, along with an option for up to 300 additional cars [see “Metra board approves order …,” News Wire, Jan. 1, 2021]. This funding, along with $100 in local matching funds, will allow Metra to exercise part of the option.
Much of the current 840-car Metra bilevel fleet is more than 40 years old.
“Newer, better railcars will mean a safer, more reliable, more accessible transportation future for the people of these communities,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said in a press release, referring to all three awards. “These cars also represent hundreds of jobs in American factories, building the next generation of American transit. We are proud to select these projects to improve passenger rail service for riders across the nation.”
— Updated at 1:25 p.m. CT to clarify that funding will allow Metra to exercise part of its option.
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