NCTD Taps Siemens for Sprinter DMU Support Contract
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The 12 Siemens DMUs entered revenue service on March 9, 2008 when NCTD’s 22-mile, 15-station Sprinter hybrid rail launched, connecting Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.
California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has awarded a 12-year, $80 million Technical Support Spares Supply Agreement contract to Siemens Mobility for its 12 Sprinter Diesel Multiple Units (DMU).
The contract includes a three-year option to be performed on a task-order basis if executed, Siemens reported on Feb. 10.
The railcar manufacturer will provide full-time on-site employees for technical expertise, materials management, project management and engineering support of the DMUs, which it supplied. The DMUs entered revenue service on March 9, 2008 when NCTD’s 22-mile, 15-station Sprinter hybrid rail launched, connecting Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido, along the Highway 78 corridor.
Siemens said it will also provide CorMap services, a digital Maintenance Equipment Asset Management System, to all vehicles in the NCTD rolling stock fleet, including Bombardier bi-levels, Siemens Charger locomotives and the Sprinters.
As part of the agreement, NCTD’s Siemens DMU fleet “will have a wide network of available support including direct, immediate connections to support from local and national Siemens Mobility depots, as well as its corporate services headquarters and plant in Sacramento,” according to Siemens. “NCTD will also have access to Siemens’ exclusive global support network for purchasing, engineering and maintenance. …”
“NCTD is excited about this agreement with Siemens which complements a similar agreement with Siemens for our Tier IV locomotive fleet,” NCTD CEO Matthew Tucker said. “The two technical services and material agreements with Siemens support NCTD’s Zero Delay emphasis and will allow NCTD to advance the implementation of world-class rail operations as we insource commuter and hybrid rail operations and maintenance.”
“Siemens Mobility is proud to partner with North County Transit District as we optimize fleet availability and reliability in San Diego,” said Michael Tyler, President of Siemens Mobility Customer Services in the U.S. “With fewer service interruptions we are keeping NCTD trains and riders on the move.”
