Bay Area Rapid Transit District Fleet of the Future

The Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has ordered 410 cars with an option for 365 more to meet capacity needs for the next 30 years and beyond. The first ten cars were delivered as pilot cars in 2016 (initially scheduled for 2015). The first new train entered sporadic service in January 2018. Currently, BART runs 21 Fleet of the Future Trains on weekdays.

## History

In September 2009 BART issued a request for proposals to provide design, engineering, manufacture, assembly, testing, warranty, and training for a new lightweight car using recycled materials with on board energy storage and crash energy management compatibility. The $3.4 billion project will need to be funded by local, regional, state and federal government. By late 2010 BART received proposals from Alstom Transportation, Bombardier Transit Corp., CAF USA, Inc., China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corp. Ltd. and Hyundai Rotem USA Corp. A request for best and final offers was issued in 2011. The contract was awarded to Bombardier in 2012 who best met qualifications and had the lowest price.

BMW Group DesignworksUSA helped BART develop the exterior and interior concept of the new cars. Bombardier worked with Morelli Designers to further develop and finalize the design. Throughout the design phase, BART has solicited the public for input. The consensus was for the need to maximize seating and employ more easy to clean finishes. Passengers also stated they would like the trains to accommodate bicycles.

On April 25, 2011, BART launched their "interactive seat lab" where passengers were able to view and evaluate different seat designs and materials. These included samples from Washington, Los Angeles, and Boston. Different upholstery included various vinyls and antimicrobial fabric. In 2013, passengers were invited to test prototype seats and bicycle storage areas.

A partial, soft mock-up car was presented to passengers in July 2013. A final mock-up, initially scheduled for display in 2012, was shown to passengers at various locations throughout April and May 2014. The mock-up was also displayed at the 2014 APTA Expo in Houston Texas.

BART adopted a number of refinements which were suggested by passengers. This included better stanchion placement, more standee straps, and armrests on perimeter seats. Out of the first 10 cars, two will have a space provided for bikes without securement and will not have stanchions at the end doors to further gauge passenger interaction.

The first of the new cars was completed and ready to ship by early 2016. It was delivered to BART via truck at the beginning of April 2016 (initially scheduled for November 2015). It underwent a number of tests including propulsion and brake performance, wheel to axle resistance, noise, and electromagnetic compatibility tests. Further testing is being conducted on the mainline system during non-revenue hours. It was expected to enter service in December 2016, however a number of issues that arose during testing (mainly related to software) meant the train would not enter service until later in 2017. The train also derailed during slow speed testing in April 2016.

In the summer of 2017, the first 10-car train began testing during regular operating hours. By this time, the agency was 16 months behind its original schedule for testing. Initially expecting 60 cars to be in service by the end of 2017, BART now expects 35 cars instead. By October the first train had still not entered service. Rather than 35 cars, BART estimates that only 20 cars will be in service by the end of the year. Delivery of all 775 cars is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 (initially September 2021).

On January 19, 2018, the 10-car pilot train entered passenger service following approval by the California Public Utilities Commission.

## References

1. ↑ Pre-Proposal meeting October 12, 2009 (Report). San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. Retrieved on 29 April 2011.9
2. ↑ Bombardier Wins Contract to Supply 260 New Metro Cars for the San Francisco Bay Area (Press release). 14 June 2012. Bombardier Transportation. Retrieved on 02 July 2013.
3. ↑ BART partners with BMW Group DesignworksUSA to create Fleet of the Future (Press release). 19 July 2011. San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. Retrieved on 02 July 2013.
4. ↑ [1]
5. ↑ [2]