Metrolink put into service a refurbished passenger train car featuring new and improved passenger amenities designed for a more enjoyable, productive and safe ride. The train car is the first of 50 slated for renovation.
“We are thrilled to begin the roll-out of the renovated train cars, with upgrades to enhance passengers’ travel experiences into our system,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “The ‘new’ train cars have a contemporary interior, charging ports at each seat, and a number of enhancements providing passengers with a safer and more comfortable ride with elevated amenities.”
Enhancements include features that make the train cars easier to clean, such as vinyl seating and non-carpeted flooring, as well as enhanced air filtration and UV lighting for bacteria, air pollutant and virus protection. Passengers will appreciate the new energy-efficient lighting and bathrooms with a modern look and better odor control.
For enhanced safety, the refurbished cars also have side door obstacle detection, three emergency intercom buttons on every car and emergency fresh air ventilation in case of power loss.
Metrolink has a total of 121 passenger train cars that were originally built by Bombardier between 1992 and 2002. While all train cars undergo regular, daily maintenance, some of the older cars were in need of a “mid-life make-over” to improve their reliability and extend their useful life.
The order to rebuild 50 of the 121 Bombardier train cars was placed with Talgo-SYSTRA joint venture in June 2019. Metrolink expects to have 17 refurbished cars in service by the end of 2022, and all 50 cars should be available by early 2024.