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Stadler Rail wins contract for Bay Area Rapid Transit District DMUs
It’s a shame that BART isn’t electrifying the extension.
I thought agencies had to buy American.
The idea is to buy from countries with comparative economic advantage, i.e. Stadler rail cars from Switzerland and Boeing airplanes from the United States.
The Denton Transit Authority uses Stadler cars for its Denton to Lewisville commuter rail service.
Why didn’t the contract go to a “local” supplier, ie. Siemens in Sacramento, California?
So much for the PC “Buy American” BS. The Swiss won’t buy our American grain. Why should we by their railcars?
Stalder is recognized for the quality and reliability of its trains, even if have to pay the price.
Stalder is recognized for the quality and reliability of its trains, even if we pay the price.
Why was Stadler the only bidder?
You only have to Buy American if the Feds are contributing to the cost. In this case, the money is likely coming from local sources such as toll bridge revenues.
Also, there was only one response to the RFP, so if nobody else bids, then you let the contract to the people who bid.
“The District received one proposal in response to the RFP for the Procurement of eBART Vehicles from Stadler, Inc. on April 30, 2013. The proposal is currently in evaluation and award is anticipated early 2014.”
Having ridden some of Stadler cars in Austin I can attest to the quality of the cars. High quality interiors and an a/c system that had no problems with the big windows and the Texas heat.
Interesting enough as builder choices go, but I’m more curious (as a Bay Area resident) whether BART will build this extension to its existing broad gauge or make it standard gauge and a side-by-side platform transfer at Pittsburg. Obviously they could build to broad gauge and then eventually electrify the new line. But if the Stadler DMUs are to be standard gauge, there would be a fair resale market…
Stadler also furnished rail equipment for the Denton County [TX] Transit Authority’s service connecting the City of Denton with the DART electrified rail Green Line in Carrollton, TX. That order was far larger than the Austin, TX order and may set a new precedent for mixed freight and “light rail” service over shared tracks.
Can sombody please explain to me why BART is not electrifying the line extension? And, whether the cars will be
5-ft. gage or the standard 4 ft 8-1/2 in. gage? I don’t understand, but then, I didn’t understand the original choice of gage, either.
Can sombody please explain to me why BART is not electrifying the line extension? And, whether the cars will be
5-ft. gage or the standard 4 ft 8-1/2 in. gage? I don’t understand, but then, I didn’t understand the original choice of gage, either.
In the early 1960’s when BART was still in the planning stages, the SP did not want to ever foresee the possibility of BART trains on it’s R/W. Therefore, the political solution was to change to a 5’ gauge. Since portion of the original BART was built parallel to the WP and AT&SF, the RRs has some leverage. At least that’s how I recollect what my father told me.
If Stadler gains more sales in this country based on it’s merits and all indications are that Stadler builds a good product, surerly Stadler will set up shop here in the USA like Siemens did in Sacramento. For those who wonder why there are no American car builders today, I suggest you consult your history books. I’ll give you a clue; Riders forsook rail transit for the private automobile.
If BART would order the DMU units to be built to standard gauge, then service would be able to extent using The DMU’s beyond Antioch to Brent wood,Byron and possibly Tracy on existing tracks. This would be in a much more cost effective than 5’ gauge electrified, grade separated track.The tracks right now are used very little and in some areas are used for rail car storage . The DMU units are not as fast or as loud as a BART car so the residents closer to the tracks should be a little happier. Scheduling service would be a factor though because of the farther distances involved.