House Republican Press Release

August 18, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HARKINS: BOND COMMISSION APPROVES FUNDING FOR NEW RAIL CARS

Will Improve Reliability Of Local Metro North Service

            HARTFORD—State Representative John Harkins, R-Stratford, announced the State Bond Commission today approved that the largest purchase of rail cars in the state’s history – a $459 million allocation. The purchase of up to 300 rail cars will be used on the New Haven and Shore Line East lines. The Bond Commission also approved an additional $25 million for rail car updating and refurbishing.

            Rep. Harkins, who serves as a member of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, noted that Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., was recently selected as the builder of the new rail fleet. Known as M-8s, the new cars will improve reliability, allow for increased service as well as increased seating, and will provide a more comfortable ride for the Connecticut commuters.

'This is a major step forward in upgrading ourrail transportation inConnecticut,” said Rep. Harkins. “Themodernization of our rail cars, combined with the new parking garage andupgrades to our train station inStratford, will only serve to improve commutingon the Metro North lines.”

            The M-8 base contract calls for a total of 210 rail cars costing $522 million with an option to purchase an additional 170 rail cars for a total of 380 rail cars. If all options are exercised, the total contract value is $881 million. Under the terms of the service agreement between the State and Metro-North Railroad, the cost of the rail cars will be shared 65 percent by Connecticut and 35 percent by New York.

The bond funding will allow Connecticut and MTA/Metro-North Railroad, the operator of the New Haven Line, to increase the first order to 300 rail cars. 

In addition to the M-8s, an additional $25 million request will be placed on the Bond Commission agenda to refurbish 40 Connecticut-owned Bombardier passenger rail cars used on the New Haven main line, Shore Line East and the Danbury and Waterbury Branch lines.  This program is similar to programs already under way for upgrading the M-2 New Haven Line electric rail cars under the Critical Systems Replacement (CSR) Program and the Virginia Rail Cars (VRE) used on Shore Line East and the Waterbury Branch.