More than $700 million in grants through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Rail Vehicle Replacement (RVR) program have been awarded to replace aging passenger railcars in six of the nation’s transit systems.
The $703 million is the first funding awarded from the new RVR program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reports in its May 5 news release, "which was created to improve safety, service, and the customer experience on subways, commuter rail, and light rail systems."
"Older railcars contribute to service delays and increased costs and lack newer amenities, such as digital signage and audio tools that improve the riding experience," the DOT states in the release. "They may also lack accessibility features – such as direct access into the railcar – for people with disabilities or anyone pushing a stroller."
The six projects receiving funding are $45.1 million to the Sacramento Regional Transit District in California to purchase 16 light rail vehicles; $71.7 million to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to replace 24 rail vehicles operating along the South Florida Rail Corridor; $200 million to the Chicago Transit Authority to acquire up to 300 new electric propulsion passenger railcars; $196.3 million to the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District to replace 48 light rail vehicles serving the St. Louis metropolitan region; $130 million to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to procure 60 new light rail and heavy rail vehicles; and $60 million to the Utah Transit Authority to purchase 20 new light rail vehicles.
FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez emphasized the importance of supporting transit agencies with limited resources.
“One-third of our nation’s subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old," Fernandez said in the news release. "This program focuses on transit agencies that lack the funding they need to address overdue railcar replacements. We are proud to select these projects to improve passenger rail service for riders across the nation.”
The RVR program, backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allocate a total of $1.5 billion in new funding through 2026 to address these challenges and improve rail transit systems, according to the news release.
“Every day, millions of Americans rely on subways, commuter rail, and light rail to get to work or school, buy groceries, and see loved ones, but many railcars still in service are decades old and in need of replacement,” DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. “These grants will help bring riders faster, safer, more reliable service on America’s rails.”
