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[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release:

 

For immediate release: September 4, 2018

  Metro begins 8000-series railcar procurement

 

 

 

Metro today took the first step toward acquiring its next generation of railcars, building on the success of the popular and reliable 7000-series fleet, with the issuance of a Request for Proposals for the design and construction of hundreds of new 8000-series cars to be delivered starting in 2024.

 

Metro plans to acquire at least 256 8000-series cars to allow for the retirement of the 2000- and 3000-series cars at the end of their 40-year service life. Options in the contract would allow Metro to purchase "up to" 800 cars in all, giving the transit agency the flexibility to support a range of initiatives and scenarios, including expanding all trains to the maximum 8-car length, running trains more frequently during rush hours, and retiring the 6000-series fleet in lieu of a midlife overhaul program.

 

With the 8000-series procurement, Metro is seeking to build on the success of its 7000-series cars, which today account for more than half of all trains in service and include popular features such as digital information screens, automated announcements, "smart doors" that individually respond to an obstruction, high-definition security cameras, more space between seats, wider aisles, and non-slip flooring rather than carpet. The 7000-series cars currently travel an average of 156,000 miles before experiencing a delay due to a mechanical issue - more than double the reliability of Metro's legacy fleet. (All 1000-, 4000-, and most 5000-series cars have already been retired from service, improving both safety and reliability.)

 

"Today Metro is beginning the multi-year process of acquiring our next railcar fleet, which will take everything our customers love about 7000-series trains and build upon that success," said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. "I would take this opportunity to again thank our local jurisdictions-Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia-for creating a dedicated capital funding source for Metro that has made this possible."

 

Like the 7000-series, the 8000-series car design will incorporate the most advanced safety technology available, and improve upon the customer experience with new features:

• New digital advertising screens to generate revenue and reduce labor costs associated with manually changing ads
• Support for remote PA announcements from the Rail Operations Control Center, in addition to automated and train-operator announcements
• Dynamic digital system maps, rather than today's paper maps
• 110v power outlets for charging electronic devices
• Additional hand holds Improvements to lighting, floor markings and signage for ADA space

 

Proposals for the new railcars are due in late January, and Metro expects to award the contract late next year.

 

Delivery of the 7000-series railcars is on schedule, with the 748th and final car expected to be delivered late next year.

 

The RFP document can be found here.

 

 

 

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 4/13/19:
 

Senators to Metro: No more federal funding if you buy Chinese rail cars

 

 

Congress would approve 10 more years of critical federal funding for Metro, but only if the transit agency agreed to not buy its next generation of rail cars from China, legislation being proposed by the region’s senators stipulates.

 

The move reflects a growing backlash in Washington against China’s state-owned rail company, whose growing domination of the U.S. market has raised concerns that it could ravage American manufacturers and provide platforms for cyberespionage.

 

The China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. is pushing back against its critics and has hired lobbyists in Washington. A CRRC spokesman said the United States should encourage rather than stifle free competition and dismissed concerns about subway car spying as “ludicrous.”

 

CRRC is actively pursuing a Metro contract likely to exceed $1 billion to build up to 800 of its new 8000-series rail cars.  .  .  .

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Hill, Washington, DC 4/29/19:
 

WMATA inspector general calls on lawmakers to focus on DC Metro system threats

 

 

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Inspector General Geoff Cherrington is calling for lawmakers to pay more attention to potential cybersecurity threats facing the public transportation system in the nation's capital.  

 

"I think there needs to be a lot of emphasis and focus on cybersecurity, on homeland security, regarding the rail system, the transportation systems," Cherrington told Hill.TV's Buck Sexton last week when asked what issues he'd like to lawmakers to give more focus.

 

"We focus a lot on aviation. We focus a lot on, you know, folks slamming into the Pentagon in a large truck," he continued.

 

"What I think we need to focus on are the large busses and the large rail that goes through our city, pretty much unfettered," he said. 

Cherrington's comments come amid heightened concerns surrounding state-owned China Railway Rolling Stock Corp's (CRRC) involvement in the U.S. train industry.

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Hill, 4/29/19:
 

DC metro vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, says inspector general

 

 

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Inspector General Geoff Cherrington said in an interview that aired Monday on "Rising" that Washington, D.C.'s public transportation system is at a higher risk of cybersecurity attacks. 

 

"Any transportation system in any city can be vulnerable, but in particular in D.C., as you know, there's a lot of targets," Cherrington told Hill.TV's Buck Sexton last week. 

 

"You have rail cars going near the White House, Capitol Hill, Ronald Reagan National Airport," he continued.

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post,1/25/20

Metro’s next-generation rail cars will not be made in China

 

 

 

Metro is no longer considering China’s state-owned rail-car manufacturer to build its next series of rail cars after Congress, concerned about cybersecurity risks, passed legislation prohibiting transit agencies from making such purchases.

 

President Trump signed the legislation into law just before Christmas.

 

“Congress took this issue seriously and took action in the recently passed defense bill, particularly since these rail cars will be used in our nation’s capital,” Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said in a statement Friday. “There are credible security and foreign espionage issues associated with buying rail cars from a company controlled by the Chinese government — a government that’s tried to undermine U.S. competitiveness and national security.”

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 10/7/20

 

Metro selects Hitachi Rail to build its next-generation rail car

  Negotiations are underway for the contract worth a potential $1 billion to build the 8000-series rail cars

 

 

Metro has selected Hitachi Rail to build its next-generation rail cars, a contract potentially worth $1 billion with incentives to create an assembly plant in the Mid-Atlantic and hundreds of permanent jobs in the region, the transit agency confirmed Tuesday.

 

Metro officials sent Hitachi Rail Washington a notice of intent to award the lucrative contract for its 8000-series rail cars on Sept. 30, ending a two-year search for a manufacturer.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading,10/7/20

 

WMATA selects Hitachi Rail for rail-car order

 

Shown: Rendering of WMATA's next-generation 8000-series rail car. Photo – WMATA Facebook

 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has selected Hitachi Rail to build 256 8000-series rail cars, The Washington Post reported yesterday. 

 

Terms of the contract have not been finalized, and the contract has not yet been awarded.

 

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[CNJRoss]

WMATA press release

 

 

For immediate release: March 17, 2021

 

  Metro announces contract award to Hitachi Rail  for 8000-series railcars

 

Up to $2.2 Billion agreement expected to create local jobs

 

 

Metro has selected Hitachi Rail Washington LLC (“Hitachi Rail”) to build the system’s 8000-series railcars in the U.S. The contract, valued up to an estimated $2.2 billion, includes a base order of 256 railcars, with options to build up to 800 in the fleet. The project is expected to create direct and indirect jobs in the region.

 

“We are excited about this critical investment in safe and reliable railcars and service for Metro customers, made possible through the region’s dedicated funding commitment,” said Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “The capital investments we are making in our transit system also support our businesses, our environment, and our quality of life in the national capital region.”

 

 

Metro’s 8000-series railcars will improve upon the design and features of the new fleet of 7000-series cars, the most reliable in Metro’s history. The base order which includes state-of-the-art safety technology and mechanical design will replace Metro's aging 2000- and 3000-series railcars, which have been in service since the early 1980s, and were designed to be "backward compatible" with Metro's 1970s era design.

 

“The 8000-series railcars will modernize the Metro fleet with Hitachi building on the success of the newest 7000-series cars to provide reliable, comfortable and safe transportation for our region and contribute to the local economy,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The new railcars will take everything customers love about the 7000-series and incorporate the latest technology and features that will serve hundreds of millions of passengers over the cars' 40-year lifespan."

 

 

REINVESTMENT IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

 

The 8000-series railcars are funded using new dedicated revenue streams established by the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. In recognition of the region's commitment to Metro's long-term future, Metro structured the procurement process to encourage reinvestment of local tax dollars in the regional economy. Hitachi is exploring sites in the region with plans to add an assembly plant for the 8000-series railcars that will result in direct and indirect local jobs, and return Metro’s investment to the local economy.

 

"Today, it is our privilege to help one of the nation’s premier transit agencies future-proof its fleet,” said Andrew Barr, Chief Executive Officer, Hitachi Rail Group. "For Hitachi Rail, our company’s business growth translates to direct and indirect U.S. jobs. Further capital investments in assembly and manufacturing in the region will supply the growing U.S. rail market to meet increasing demand. We also believe that our downstream supply chain offers considerable opportunities for the participation of diverse business enterprises. We value diversity in the workplace and the marketplace.”

 

While there are no U.S. manufacturers of passenger rail cars, Metro included aggressive goals in its request for proposal to ensure investment in local vendors.

 

 

THE 8000-SERIES EXPERIENCE

 

The 8000-series will further improve customers' on-board experience with more digital screens and real-time information, dynamic maps, electrical outlets for charging personal devices, and additional hand-holds throughout the interior.

 

In addition, the new railcars build on Metro and Hitachi’s shared commitment to sustainability. The cars are designed to be lighter, safer and more energy-efficient with improved regenerative braking technology, ventilation system improvements, high-definition cameras and stringent cybersecurity requirements to enhance security.

 

Hitachi Rail was selected through a competitive procurement process. Hitachi Rail’s current operating footprint in the U.S. includes East and West Coast railcar assembly plants as well as a manufacturing plant dedicated to signaling solutions in the Carolinas. Hitachi is currently building railcars for transit systems in Baltimore, Honolulu and Miami.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 3/18/21
 

Metro finalizes contract for new rail cars as company eyes D.C. region for new plant

 

 

Metro said Wednesday it has finalized a $2.2 billion contract with Hitachi Rail to build its next model of rail cars under a plan that calls for the company to build an assembly plant in the Washington region, possibly employing hundreds of people.

 

The company will build Metro’s 8000 Series of rail cars and has begun searching for a site in the District, Maryland or Northern Virginia, transit officials said.  . . .

 

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[CNJRoss]

WTOP-FM Washington, DC  3/21/22

 

New $70M Md. factory that will build Metro’s railcars to create hundreds of jobs

 

 

The D.C. Metro’s current crop of late-model rail cars are still sidelined because of last fall’s derailment. But plans for the next fleet of rail cars are already underway, and they will be manufactured in Maryland.

 

Hitachi Rail said it will build a $70 million “state-of-the-art” factory in Washington County, Maryland, to build the 8000-series cars.

 

 

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