Chicago Transit Authority, joined by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, on Monday ceremonially unveiled the first new 5000-series rail cars, manufactured by Bombardier Transportation, to be placed into regular revenue service. CTA says it is the first new equipment for CTA rail service since 1992. The cars initially will enter service on the Pink Line.
Budget constraints notwithstanding, the Toronto Transit Commission appears determined to move ahead on the first of seven planned light rail transit extensions, setting a September groundbreaking for the Sheppard East line.
Britain’s Department of Transport announced Thursday that it has selected Agility Trains, a British-led group that includes Hitachi of Japan, as the preferred bidder for a $10.7 billion contract to build and maintain a fleet of new Super Express trains for the Great Western and East Coast main lines. John Laing and Barclays are also members of the winning consortium.