METRO Starts Clock for Rail Car Delivery with Acceptance of CAF USA Contract

The countdown to delivery of 39 light-rail cars that will move passengers across miles of track currently under construction has officially begun. This follows the November 28th signing of $900 million Full Funding Grant Agreements for METRO’s North and Southeast rail lines.

In late September the METRO Board of Directors approved the purchase of light-rail vehicles (LRV’s) from CAF USA (U.S. subsidiary of Spain’s Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles).

The $153.1 million proposal submitted by CAF USA is fully compliant with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Buy America guidelines.

“Now that we have secured the FFGA’s we are focused on continuing to build the light rail system the region needs. We are also pleased the FTA has placed its confidence in METRO and our revised procurement procedures.” said George Greanias, METRO’s president & CEO. 

Construction on three new light-rail projects is in full swing and visible along Houston’s East End, North and Southeast lines.  The projects are expected to be completed and ready for passengers in mid-2014. The delivery of the 39 light-rail cars is expected in two years.

Photo: Nov. 15 - Virginia Verdeja, VP/Sales, CAF USA and METRO Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia watch as METRO CEO & President George Greanias signs the contract for new rail cars.