The state is making a more than $300 million investment to modernize its transit system by purchasing 60 new rail cars for the Hartford and New Haven Lines, the first of which are expected to be delivered in 2026.
Gov. Ned Lamont this week announced the state Department of Transportation has entered into a contract with French transportation company Alstom for 60 new, 85-foot-long single-level rail coach cars, valued at $315 million.
Lamont’s office said the purchases are part of the state’s ongoing rail car renewal program. The contract includes options to build an additional 313 cars for the state as part of the program, according to Alstom.
The 60 new cars will be “prioritized for use” on the Hartford Line, Lamont’s office said, in addition to branches of the New Haven Line.
The cars will be more modern and sustainable than those currently in use, the state said, with Wi-Fi, real-time informational displays and USB ports. They’ll have two-by-two seating, better ADA accessibility, overhead luggage racks, foldable tables and a bicycle storage area, according to information from the state.
Each rail car is designed for operation of up to 24 hours and 1,200 miles daily and will have at least a 40-year design life, the state said, and is based on the X’Trapolis European EMU rail car produced by Alstom.
