The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has approved the purchase of 316 new M-9A commuter railcars, with 160 destined for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and 156 for Metro-North Railroad. The decision, approved by the MTA Finance Committee on 23 June, marks a major step in the modernisation of New York’s commuter rail network.
Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed the move, stating: “New Yorkers deserve a fast, reliable and comfortable transit system. We are delivering that today through the purchase of modern railcars for the LIRR and Metro-North fleets.”
Built by Alstom Transportation, the railcars will be manufactured in New York State, creating hundreds of jobs. The first pilot units are expected in 2029, with full fleet deployment scheduled by 2032.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber emphasised the broader investment: “We’re looking to buy almost 2,000 rail cars as part of the new Capital Plan — USD 10.9 billion worth — and this 300+ order gets us off to a strong start. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her work to secure the funding that made it possible.”
Designed to enhance service reliability and passenger experience, the M-9A cars will feature updated interiors, USB charging ports, glass windows, and accessibility improvements, including automatic bathroom doors. The new fleet will replace ageing M-3 units on both railroads.
Tim Mulligan, MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Programmes, noted that the procurement process was streamlined through the use of existing vehicle designs: “We are using innovative methods to bring down costs and delivery time. By building on the reliable design of previous cars, we were able to work with the contractor to get things done better, faster, and cheaper.”
With rising ridership on the LIRR following the opening of Grand Central Madison, LIRR President Rob Free said: “Our customers deserve modern railcars which will result in even more reliable service and improve the customer experience for years to come.”
Metro-North President Justin Vonashek added: “I’m excited for our customers to experience even more reliable service when the M-9A railcars join our fleet. We are committed to providing the best customer experience every day.”
The M-9A units will operate on LIRR’s electrified network and on Metro-North’s Hudson and Harlem Lines. The move continues MTA’s broader strategy to upgrade its rolling stock as part of a long-term capital plan aimed at improving safety, reliability, and rider comfort across the region.
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