New Metrorail cars from Hitachi beginning their tests.
Written by Susan Danseyar on October 25, 2016
Miami-Dade County is rolling into the future with two new Metrorail cars now being tested and soon to be put into service.
Officials and transit authorities hosted an unveiling Monday at Medley’s Hitachi facility, where 136 new train cars are to be assembled and delivered before the end of 2019. All have upgraded features including WiFi, new lighting, digital signs and automated announcement of stations.
The 136 new Metrorail cars will cost the county about $300 million, or $2.06 million each. They’ll be roughly the same size and length as the cars they’re replacing but with improved components, thanks to decades of technology, Ms. Bravo said.
The new cars can be coupled with another pair to create a four-car or even a six-car train, depending on the size of the station.
Miami-Dade’s current Metrorail fleet was built in 1984.
The new fleet is being designed and built by Hitachi Rail USA and the cars will keep some existing features like free WiFi while adding new digital media displays, interior bike racks, an improved audio system for announcements and a new overall look that’s been described as futuristic.
The testing of the cars comes after some delays in the $313.8 million project, which was approved in 2012, as county commissioners wanted to see a new look for the cars and the Hitachi facility just opened in March.
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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/loca...#storylink=cpy
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