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On Wednesday, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) board approved the purchase of 18 diesel multiple units (DMUs) from Sumitomo Corp. of America and its car builder partner Nippon Sharyo for $56.8 million. The diesel multiple units are slated for delivery between 2013's end and mid-2014.

The contract includes an option that would enable SMART and its partner agencies to purchase up to 146 cars.

SMART expects to begin building an initial segment of a commuter-rail line between Santa Rosa and Marin, Calif., next year. The agency plans to construct a 70-mile line between Cloverdale and Larkspur at an estimated cost of $695 million.

Because of a funding shortfall, SMART currently is pursuing only the initial segment. The line could be extended south to Larkspur and north to Cloverdale if funding becomes available between 2016 and 2018.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission representatives recently advised SMART’s board to consider extending the initial segment from Santa Rosa to San Rafael.