Bombardier Transportation presents state-of-the-art new metro car at the American Public Transportation Association’s EXPO 2014 in Houston, Texas

• San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit’s ‘Fleet of the Future’
• The popular BOMBARDIER BiLevel commuter rail car with Crash Energy Management system
• The measurable benefits of Bombardier’s World Class Operations and Maintenance program

HOUSTON, 2014-10-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation inaugurated its exhibit today at the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) EXPO 2014 in Houston, Texas by presenting the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) state-of-the-art new metro car to the North American rail industry.

Designated by BART as its “Fleet of the Future”, the new metro cars will replace BART’s entire existing fleet as well as be used for system expansion. The new cars feature a reconfigured interior layout designed to maximize seating, openness, and comfort, and will include bicycle racks as well as, more priority seating for elderly passengers and passengers with limited mobility. Other new features include comfortable, easy-to-clean seats with lumbar support, interior and exterior digital displays showing passenger information, a better quality public address system with automated announcements, more doors to make boarding faster and easier, energy saving lighting, and improved onboard security cameras.

In addition, the cars will be powered by highly reliable BOMBARDIER* MITRAC* propulsion equipment with energy efficient inverters and regenerative braking. The cars’ onboard systems will be integrated by the industry leading MITRAC train control and management system with internet protocol technology.

“‘The Fleet of the Future’ is a cornerstone of our plan to build a better BART” says Grace Crunican, General Manager, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. “The new cars will help BART keep trains on time, relieve crowding, and accommodate the rapid passenger growth we are experiencing. Bombardier provided us with many models and prototypes which we reviewed with over 35,000 BART customers – an outreach effort that is being recognized with a First Place prize by APTA.”

Safety innovations for commuter rail

First introduced in 1978, the BiLevel coach is the most popular double-deck commuter rail car in North America – with nearly 1,200 currently in operation at, or on order with, transit authorities in 14 metropolitan regions across Canada and the United States. The latest step in the BiLevel coach’s continuous evolution is the addition of a Crash Energy Management (CEM) system to both cab car and coach.

Canada’s GO Transit, a division of Metrolinx, chose this latest evolution when designing its commuter car of the future. “With Bombardier, we have developed an aerodynamic, full-width cab that offers improved positioning and ergonomics for the engineer as well as being ready for the installation of the latest train control technology,” says Paul Finnerty, Vice President, Operations, GO Transit. “Upgrades to door and air conditioning systems, increases in energy efficiency, and enhancements to passenger comfort are among other advancements that make our trains even better.”

World Class Operations and Maintenance program

In addition to innovative rail vehicles, Bombardier’s EXPO exhibit will also feature the Bombardier World Class Operations and Maintenance program. The Bombardier Services team is well-known for providing and supporting transit systems across the Americas with a full portfolio of services from fleet operations and maintenance to overhaul and refurbishment programs, as well as with modern material and technology solutions.

During the next few days, Bombardier will demonstrate the measurable benefits of its World Class Operations and Maintenance program that includes:

• Sentio – Improves fleet reliability and reduces maintenance costs by delivering on-demand access to technical knowledge
• TrackSafe – Helps reduce track work hazards, while improving safety, productivity and train service
• YardSafe – Similar to TrackSafe, harnesses powerful Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve the safety and efficiency of rolling stock assets movement within the yard environment
• eLearning – Enhances personnel training through contemporary tools and techniques

Raymond Bachant, President, Bombardier Transportation, Americas Division said, “Bombardier’s brand promise, and the theme of our EXPO exhibit, is ‘The Evolution of Mobility’. Through collaboration with our customers on projects such as the ‘Fleet of the Future’ with BART, and the next generation of the BiLevel commuter rail car with GO Transit, we are creating the transportation solutions of tomorrow. EXPO attendees will have the opportunity to be guided through a full-scale tour of the BART car and GO Transit CEM system and our other innovative products and technologies that enhance passenger and crew safety, fleet operations and maintenance as well as improve the customer experience.”

About APTA’s EXPO 2014
Held every three years in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Annual Meeting, EXPO is North America’s premier showcase of public transportation technology, products and services. More than 15,000 industry professionals are expected to attend to see and experience the latest innovations on display by the 750+ global exhibitors. Additional information about APTA’s EXPO 2014 is available at www.APTAEXPO.com.

About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER* ECO4* technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

 

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter@Bombardier.

 

Notes to Editors

Follow Bombardier Transportation on Twitter @BombardierRail.

BOMBARDIER, MITRAC, BiLevel and ECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

 

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