ON JUNE 11 the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority authorised purchase of 18 bi-level cab cars and 20 coaches from Bombardier Transportation for the Seattle - Tacoma Sounder commuter rail service. The US$75m deal includes a $39·2m option for an extra 20 coaches for the extensions from Seattle to Everett and Tacoma to Lakewood (RG 1.98 p33).
Nine firms had expressed interest in the contract, but Bombardier is understood to be the only bidder able to meet the tight delivery schedule. The first car must be delivered by October 1999, with at least six available by December 31 when a limited service is due to begin. From January 2000 the remaining cars are required at the rate of five per month.
Bodyshells will be built at Bombardier’s Thunder Bay plant, with final assembly at Barre, Vermont. Among the amenities to be included are surge-protected outlets for laptop computers and plumbing in each car for installation of coffee machines.
The contract also provides two additional options for other cities to piggyback onto the order and benefit from a lower price. Southern California Regional Rail Authority has an option for 35 cars to boost the Los Angeles Metrolink fleet, whilst Fort Worth Transportation Authority needs four cab cars for the Trinity Railway Express extension between Irving and Fort Worth set to open in 2000. FWTA already owns 16 Bombardier coaches but no cab cars for push-pull operation.
The Sound Transit board was expected to award a contract for 12 diesel locos in mid-June; the two shortlisted bidders are General Motors EMD and Boise Locomotive Works. The price is expected to be between $25m and $28m.
- Bombardier Transportation announced on June 3 that its Belgian business unit BN, in consortium with GEC Alsthom Transport, had been selected as preferred bidder to supply double-deck coaches to Belgian National Railways. Details of the fleet size and price were still subject to negotiation. o
