The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has issued requests of proposals to replace its entire fleet of ageing Red and Orange line rail cars under a $1.3bn procurement project to provide improved reliability, accessibility and energy efficiency.
Under the project, a total of 226 vehicles will be delivered, with 152 Orange Line cars to replace the entire fleet of 120 and 74 Red Line cars with an option to increase the fleet to 132.
The new rail cars will feature enhanced capacity and additional seating, wider and electrically operated doors, four accessible areas, LED lighting, modern HVAC systems, and advanced passenger information and announcement systems.
As per the terms of the contract, which will be awarded by winter 2014-2015, delivery of the orange line cars will begin in winter 2018-2019, while red line car delivery will begin in autumn 2019 after extensive pilot testing.
MBTA general manager Beverly Scott said that the new cars will provide a reliable service while increasing seating capacity and accessibility for all riders.
“Our customers on the Orange and Red lines have been waiting literally for years to see these long-discussed investments become a reality,” Scott added.
MBTA will also open three new T stations along the Fairmount Line in Roxbury and Dorchester.
Meanwhile, work is in progress to bring the Green Line Extension to Union Square and Washington Street in Somerville. In addition, the first new Orange Line T station in 25 years will be built at the Assembly Row development in Somerville.