The SEPTA board, during its monthy board meeting yesterday, has approved the purchase of an 16 additional Silverliner V cars, adding on to the already 104 cars in the order. This will bring the total up to 120 cars expected to be delivered by 2011. The first pilot cars are expected to arrive later next year. These units will replacing the the 73 Silverliner II, and III cars which have been in service for nearly 50 years and are in need of being replaced!!
Also, the Delaware Transportation Corporation (DTC aka DART First State) has agreed to fund the purchase of four of these additional cars. These cars will be paid for through federal funding and funds matched by the DTC. The DTC owned cars will be used for service improvements on the R2 Newark line to address the rising ridership on this line.
The surplus of 47 cars is to address the current overcrowding problems throughout the rail system. Hopefully by 2012, SEPTA will be inundated with enough cars to fully supply service during rush hours without standees.
The total contract price would be $274,076,714.
http://www.pr-inside.com/septa-board-approves-purchase-of-r106578.htm