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Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority June 14 began soliciting bids for 104 new cars for its Regional Rail fleet. In addition to relieving crowding by expanding the fleet by 31, the new cars — to be named Silverliner Vs — also will replace 73 Silverliner IIs and IIIs purchased in the mid-1960s.



"While we are delighted so many people are now riding the Regional Rail system, the growth in ridership has led to overcrowding on some trains," said SEPTA General Manager Faye Moore in a prepared statement. "Presently, during weekday rush hours, we are using every rail car available to meet the demand, and this has occasionally resulted in standing room only."



The $3 million cars include two midway doorways to enhance safety, and improve speed and efficiency of loading and unloading. The cars also incorporate a combination of seating arrangements with two rows, two seats across, nearer the center, and one row with two seats, plus another with three, at the cars’ ends.



SEPTA, which has been renewing its 2,000-car fleet since the 1980s, specifies that delivery begin in 2006.