AUTHORITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rebuilt Metro Rail Cars Make Debut
Buffalo, NY
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced that Metro will be showcasing its first two newly rebuilt rail cars and placing them into service Friday, March 9 after a brief inaugural ride ceremony.
Rail cars 114 and 123, the first two of 27 rail cars that will each receive a $1.5 million top to bottom transformation, carried passengers for the first time today from LaSalle Station to Theater Station, where celebratory remarks were offered in the lobby of Shea's Performing Arts Center.
Henry M. Sloma, NFTA acting Chairman commented, "We are fully committed to providing our customers with the safest and most modern rail cars possible. These rebuilt vehicles accomplish that goal and our investment will add 25-years to the life of each car."
Eunice A. Lewin, Chairwoman of the NFTA's Surface Transportation Committee said, "I am definitely very pleased that our beautiful new cars are operating and serving our customers. We can now move forward with plans to provide our over 6 million annual rail customers with one of the most modern light rail systems in the nation."
The two cars have undergone a complete reconstruction in Dansville, NY, where AnsaldoBreda Inc. a unit of AnsaldoBreda S.p.A of Italy has been making wholesale improvements to the cars.
Giancarlo Fantappiè, AnsaldoBreda President and CEO commented, "We are very happy that this achievement is being met with the cooperation of the entire Rehabilitation Team; NFTA, AnsaldoBreda, suppliers, etc… As we move forward with the work on the remaining vehicles, we remain fully committed to the continued cooperation and successful completion of this project."
Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA executive director said, "Metro Rail provides the most environmentally efficient, pocketbook friendly and reliable mode of transportation for thousands of people traveling in and out of Buffalo each and every day. We are pleased to be able to provide these rebuilt rail cars so our riders can enjoy a safe and comfortable ride on Metro Rail for many years to come."
Each vehicle is equipped with a host of new safety features, passenger amenities and mechanical upgrades as part of the $45 million project. Enhanced passenger features include new colored seats and shells, HVAC components, interior emergency audio system, brighter energy efficient overhead lighting, anti-slip coating on door thresholds and interior/exterior LED signage. All cars will become uniform in appearance as the current orange and brown color scheme transitions to an all white background accented with silver and blue trim.
Americans with Disabilities related improvements include flashing lights at all doors, new gong sounds to signal the opening and closing of doors and automatic passenger stop announcements/LED displays to assist hearing and visually impaired passengers
The approximately 22,880 riders who use Metro Rail each weekday may not notice the myriad mechanical and safety improvements that each vehicle has received, but they are equally as significant to the project. Each car is now equipped with new suspensions, rebuilt gearboxes, air compression system, improved breaking system, overhauled traction motors, refurbished trucks with new wheels and 35,000 feet of new electrical wiring.
The operators' compartment has also been retooled with a new ergonomic design, improved HVAC system, enhanced electric window wipers and side window along with a new seat design for operator comfort.
A third rebuilt rail car is expected to be delivered in approximately seven months and will be required to undergo testing and 600 miles of commissioning, which is expected to take three to four months. There will be four rail cars in the rebuild cycle, starting a process whereby one completed car will be sent to Buffalo with Metro sending an additional car to Dansville until all remaining 25 cars are rebuilt. All cars are required to be completed within 36 months from the date of accepting the first two.
Similar Posts
