Amtrak is investing $7.three billion in a brand new fleet of state-of-the-art trains, together with a few of its first hybrid-electric powered trai
Amtrak is investing $7.three billion in a brand new fleet of state-of-the-art trains, together with a few of its first hybrid-electric powered trains, to modernize its growing old fleet and appeal to extra vacationers, the corporate stated Wednesday.
The corporate is shopping for as much as 83 new trains that may function principally alongside the Northeast Hall. They can even run the lengthy distance Palmetto line from New York to Miami in addition to some state-supported routes, changing Amtrak’s Amfleet, Metroliner and state-owned gear on sure routes throughout the nation.
A few of the new trains servicing the New York area can be powered by Amtrak’s first hybrid-electric batteries, to chop again on air air pollution.
“These new trains will reshape the way forward for rail journey by changing our growing old 40-to-50-year previous fleet with state-of-the-art, American-made gear,” Amtrak CEO Invoice Flynn stated in an announcement. “This funding is crucial to preserving and rising our Northeast Regional and state-supported companies and can permit our prospects to journey comfortably and safely, whereas deeply lowering standards pollution.”
Amtrak is contracting with California-based Siemens Mobility Inc. to fabricate a brand new fleet of as much as 83 multi-powered trendy trains
Supply: Amtrak
As Covid-19 restrictions ease, vacationers usually are not solely beginning to board extra flights, prepare ridership additionally continues to enhance — approaching 60% of fiscal 12 months 2019 ranges. Over Fourth of July weekend, demand reached 80% of what it was two years in the past, the corporate instructed CNBC.
Along with the Northeast Regional, different routes that can be serviced by the brand new fleet embrace the Adirondack, Carolinian, Cascades, Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Categorical, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield Service (Amtrak Hartford Line and Valley Flyer), Pennsylvanian, Vermonter and Virginia Providers.
The brand new trains will embrace distant monitoring and totally built-in digital diagnostics in addition to extra comfy seating, particular person energy retailers and USB ports, onboard Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting and panoramic home windows, bigger vestibules, digital seat reservations and navigation show techniques, the corporate stated.
The brand new state-of-the-art fleet can be manufactured by Siemens Mobility’s rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California. Amtrak expects the upgrades will add greater than 1.5 million riders yearly. The funding features a components provide and repair settlement in addition to facility modifications and upgrades.
“California’s innovation economic system is coming roaring again, and this $7.three billion contract — one of many greatest of its form — represents good paying jobs and additional proves that California is a good place to do enterprise,” stated California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
— CNBC’s Seema Mody contributed to this text.