West Coast Express taps Bombardier for operations
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefBombardier Transportation has signed a contract to provide train operations for TransLink’s West Coast Express commuter rail system in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia.
The contract is valued at approximately C$17 million CAD (US$15 million) and includes train operations for five years beginning in May 2014, plus options for three additional five-year periods. West Coast Express operates a fleet of 44 Bombardier BiLevel commuter railcars. Close to 1,200 of these cars are already in operation across the United States and Canada.
“We’re pleased to expand our long-standing relationship with Bombardier as a vehicle and technology provider, to now include rail operations,” said Fred Cummings, President and General Manager of British Columbia Rapid Transit Co. Ltd. “We have developed a successful partnership over the years, and we look forward to Bombardier continuing to provide the safe, reliable, and courteous service our West Coast Express customers expect.”
“West Coast Express has built an enviable reputation for reliability and exceptional customer service since its first trip in 1995,” said Bombardier Transportation North America President Raymond Bachant. “Bombardier appreciates the importance of maintaining and building on the West Coast Express record of good customer service.”
Bombardier provides operations and maintenance services to transit systems across North America, including AMT (Agence Metropolitaine de Transport) in Montreal, GO Transit in Toronto, MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter), MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) New Jersey Transit, NCTD (North County Transit District) in California, OC Transpo in Ottawa, SFRTA (South Florida Regional Transit Authority), SCRRA (Southern California Regional Rail Authority), and, beginning in the spring of 2014, Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit (SunRail). Bombardier also supports transit systems with overhaul and refurbishment programs and material and technology solutions.
