Maryland MTA taps Bombardier

The Maryland Transit Administration has reached a contract agreement with Bombardier Transportation to provide 54 Bombardier BiLevel rail cars for MARC passenger rail service at a cost of $153 million.

MTA spokesman Terry Owens said MARC intended to retire 38 older rail cars nearing the end of their useful life cycle, but the Bombardier purchase will result in a net fleet expansion of 16 cars. The new cars, capable of handling more passengers than single-level cars, also are expected to relieve overcrowding on some trains.

MTA is exercising an option linked to an order by New Jersey Transit, which MTA says will result in a reduction of nine months to a year off the bid solicitation process.