Alstom lands PATCO car overhaul contract

The Delaware River Port Authority has awarded a $194.2 million contract to Alstom Transportation Inc., Hornell, N.Y., for overhaul and upgrading of its aging 120-car PATCO rapid transit car fleet. The largest capital improvement project in DRPA history, the contract includes $69 million in Federal Transit Administration funding. 

More than half the PATCO fleet—74 cars—dates back to the opening of PATCO in 1969. The remaining cars were placed into service in 1980. “Many of the car components and systems are no longer supported in the industry and, for years, PATCO has had to either produce parts in house or obtain them from agencies retiring similar technology in order to keep the fleet operational,” said PATCO President John J. Matheussen. “This is one of the most important projects the DRPA or PATCO will ever undertake. Once the work is completed the riding experience for our customers will be greatly enhanced.”

Alstom’s work will include new brake, propulsion and signaling systems; door controls; HVAC systems; lighting, signing, and messaging systems; and new floors. The work also includes enclosing the operator’s cab, adding an onboard diagnostic system, ADA improvements, and all-new modern interiors including new seats. PATCO General Manager Bob Box said it will take about two years for Alstom to prepare the final design of the overhaul work and incorporate the overhaul repairs and modifications into prototype cars. “Once the prototypes are accepted, rehabilitation of the rest of the fleet will begin and that process will take about three years,” he said. “This major fleet overhaul is the most cost effective way to deal with the issue since replacing the cars was estimated to be considerably more expensive. Also, all assembly work will be done in the U.S.”