Alstom to supply 316 rail cars to New York's commuter network

French train manufacturer Alstom has received a notice of award for a contract valued at over 2 billion euros. The contract is for the production of 316 new commuter rail cars for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad, the commuter rail divisions of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The base contract is worth 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion USD) and includes an option for up to 242 additional cars, with a potential value of up to 1.3 billion euros. These new M-9A cars will replace the MTA's approximately 40-year-old M-3 models, which are currently the oldest active cars in service on the commuter lines.

According to Alstom, the new cars are designed to offer passengers a quieter, smoother, and more reliable ride. Features will include USB charging ports, dedicated space for wheelchairs, and accessible restrooms. Efficient boarding and alighting will be facilitated by two sets of extra-wide doors on each side of the car.

The contract is expected to create nearly 300 jobs across Alstom's two production facilities in upstate New York. Car assembly will take place in Hornell, with car body shells manufactured at the newly opened Plant 4, built specifically to bring this activity back to the U.S. Bogies will be assembled at Alstom's Plattsburgh facility, and propulsion systems will be produced by Alstom in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.