Six railcar builders answer SMART RFP
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefCalifornia’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District,north of San Francisco, says its request for proposals to build diesel multiple-unit (DMU) cars has prompted six offers from manufacturers. SMART did not identify the companies, but did say they were based in North America, Europe, and Asia.
"It’s an excellent response," said John Lackey, SMART’s capital projects director. "We’re very pleased with the number of proposals." SMART spokesman Chris Coursey said the agency was hoping for four written responses.
Voters in Sonoma and Marin counties approved Measure Q in 2008, authorizing a quarter-cent sales tax to finance a projected $1.1 billion passenger rail service, with 14 stops between Cloverdale and Larkspur, Calif. At Larkspur, riders could transfer to ferry service to access San Francisco. Construction is anticipated to begin next year, with rail service commencing in 2014.
