Happening Now
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds Rail Transit Fleet Renewal
February 23, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $631 million in Rail Vehicle Replacement grants this week. These grants will go towards the purchase of new rail cars for transit systems in Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
"Millions of Americans use subways, commuter rail, and light rail every day, but many railcars are decades old and in need of replacement," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Through President Biden's infrastructure law, we're proud to deliver 300 new railcars to give Americans a safer, more comfortable, more reliable service on America’s rails."
This new transit program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of a broader effort to address aging U.S. transit infrastructure. A third of U.S. subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old (while the average age of an Amtrak-owned or leased railcar is 35 years). Last year’s inaugural round of awards funded six fleet renewal projects in Sacramento, South Florida, Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Utah.
This program complies with the Buy America Act, which means at least 70% of these railcars will be made in the U.S. with final assembly completed domestically.
|
State |
Project Sponsor |
Project Description |
Funding |
|
IL |
Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (Metra) |
Metra will receive funding to buy 50 modern, multi-level railcars that will feature new passenger safety, accessibility, and rider comfort amenities to replace older railcars that have been in service for more than 40 years. |
$100,000,000 |
|
MD |
Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) |
MDOT MTA will receive funding to buy 52 new light rail vehicles to replace older vehicles that have been in service for more than 25 years. |
$213,696,341 |
|
PA |
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) |
SEPTA will receive funding to buy up to 200 new rail cars to replace older rail cars that have been in service for nearly 25 years, operating along the Market Frankford Line, the most heavily used line in SEPTA's system. |
$317,160,000 |
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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