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The CTA will spend up to $2 billion to purchase as many as 846 next-generation rail cars as part of a continuing effort to modernize an aging fleet, officials said Wednesday.
The transit agency this week issued an invitation for bids to manufacturers for new rail cars, which will be called the 7000 Series, CTA president Forrest Claypool said.
Manufacturers were asked to submit exterior and interior design proposals, including seating configuration and aesthetics, officials said.
The CTA plans a base order of 100 7000 Series cars that would be paid for with federal funds and CTA bond proceeds already in place, CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase said.
On the options to buy additional cars, up to 746 beyond the base order, the CTA did not identify funding sources.
If all goes according to plan, the new cars would start arriving in Chicago about 2016, following completion of delivery of 706 new rail cars that the CTA has already purchased from Bombardier Transportation for $1.14 billion.
The Bombardier cars, called the 5000 Series, provide a smoother ride than the old cars they are replacing. But they feature aisle-facing seats, which have proven unpopular with many riders.
About 190 of the 5000 Series cars are in operation on several rail lines, with more cars being delivered at a rate of one per weekday, officials said.
Replacing old rail cars will reduce service delays caused by mechanical breakdowns and save millions of dollars in operating costs, CTA officials said.
Adding the 7000 Series to the mix would potentially reduce the average age of the CTA's fleet to less than 10 years by 2022, officials said. Without the planned purchase, the average age of the fleet would exceed 20 years old by that time. The CTA currently operates about 1,280 rail cars.
The oldest rail cars on the CTA system include approximately 400 30-year-old 2600 Series cars that were built between 1981 and 1987, officials said.
If all the options were exercised on a 7000 Series purchase, some 256 cars in the 3200 series, which are 20 years old, would be retired in a timely manner, officials said.
The CTA could also expand its rail fleet if needed to handle increase ridership or expansion of the rail system, including the planned $1.5 billion extension of the Red Line south branch from 95th Street to 130th Street.
jhilkevitch@tribune.com
Twitter@jhilkevitch
CTA to spend $2B for rail-car upgrade
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