Metra places initial order of 200 Alstom rail cars

Alstom Transportation Inc. last week announced it received an initial order from Metra to supply 200 push-pull commuter rail cars.

Valued at about $775 million, the initial order is part of Metra's larger purchase of 500 new cars approved in January. The new multilevel cars will replace older units in the Chicago commuter railroad's current fleet of 840 cars.

Design features of the new units include a streamlined, modern interior equipped with USB plugs; a layout to improve passenger flow and rider comfort; seating and spacing that allows for physical distancing; touchless doors; improved design for improved ride quality; and multiple wide doors on each side of the cars to reduce passenger boarding times. Also, the cars will meet all Americans with Disabilities Act and accessibility requirements, Alstom officials said in a press release.

The cars will be built at Alstom's facility in Hornell, New York. Other Alstom sites will support the project, including the plant in Rochester, New York, for the automatic train control system.