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Connecticut Gov. Dannell Malloy recently announced plans to purchase 25 more M-8 rail cars from Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., adding to 380 vehicles already on order. The cars will operate on the New Haven Line, which is owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and operated under contract by MTA Metro-North Railroad.

The 25 cars will be built as single vehicles instead of the married pairs that currently are being delivered, according to a press release.

The new cars will cost $93 million. Under its contract with Metro-North, the state of Connecticut pays for 65 percent of all equipment costs and the railroad covers the remainder.

The M-8s will enable Metro-North to retire its M-4 and M-6 fleets. The vehicles will feature larger windows, more comfortable seats, electrical outlets at every seat, restrooms, destination signs both inside and out, and an improved public-address system.