Chicago area commuter rail operator Metra announced August 9, 2016 that due to changes in the availability of capital required to fund its $2.4 billion modernization plan, the agency has temporarily suspended its search for a vendor to supply 367 double-deck gallery-style coaches.
However, a portion of the 367 coaches will be procured and will arrive sooner than expected as Metra plans to take over an option from Virginia Railway Express (VRE) to purchase 21 coaches from Nippon Sharyo at an estimated cost of $2.5 million per vehicle.
Metra approached VRE about taking on this option because VRE may no longer require the full order. Metra’s purchase of 367 new coaches was expected to cost $800,000 more per vehicle than VRE’s option, which is $3.3 million per coach, or $1.2 billion in total.
Metra says that if it takes on VRE’s option for more coaches it could save around $17 million, and deliveries would begin in 2018.
With the State of Illinois holding back more than $300 million in funding that was previously budgeted in Metra’s capital program, it is likely to take longer to acquire the remaining 346 coaches and planned new locomotives. Metra is investigating the possibility of acquiring and rehabilitating unwanted coaches from other commuter rail operators.