The Chicago Transit Authority and the Department of Transportation have announced the funding for new train cars for the city’s transit system. Various state senators teamed up in DC to make the announcement earlier this week, with the money ultimately coming from the federal infrastructure bill passed in 2021. The money will come through the Federal Transit Administration as part of their 2022 and 2023 Rail Vehicle Replacement program, allowing for the CTA to replace some of its oldest rail rolling stock.
View of train at McCormick Green Line station via CTA
Currently the CTA operates nearly 1,500 railcars from four different build series across eight train lines, the oldest of which were built in 1980s and are in the process of being replaced by the new 7000 series trains which recently entered service. The 7000 series with its unique blue front is currently being built in the city at a new factory which employs over 200 people, the first to be built in Chicago since the 1960s with an order of 400 now being manufactured.
Exterior view of 7000 series train via CTA
However the $200 million in new funds will go towards a new yet to be designed 9000 series, with a brief history of how the 7000 series came to be giving us a glimpse of what is next:
2013
- Initial announcement and invitation for bids issued to manufacturers, requesting a new train series with a firm order of 100 and options up to 846 (future cars that can be ordered at the contracted price and hold their place in line for the builders backlog).
- CTA begins community outreach asking riders what they’d like to see in the next series.
2014
- Bidding opens and closes garnishing two options from two manufacturers, unhappy with the outcome the city re-opens bidding and increases its initial firm order from 100 to 400 eventually.
2016
- Bidding extension closes and the project is awarded to CRRC Sifang America based in Qingdao, China, one of the largest rolling stock manufacturers, with a final cost of $632 million for the 400 cars or around $1.58 million per car. Final design work ensues.
2019
- CRRC completes construction on the self-funded $100 million plant in Hegewisch, commences manufacturing first cars to be tested on CTA tracks.
2021
- After a long testing period and delays, the 7000 series ends its eight-year production history and enters regular service. Over 50 cars have been produced with the order expected to wrap up by the end of the decade.
A more in depth breakdown can be found at our source Chicago-L.org.
Interior view of 7000 series train via CTA
The new funds will go towards ordering 300 new electric propulsion railcars that will complement the existing system, hoping to increase reliability, comfort, and safety compared to the over 40-year-old cars. In 2022, the L saw on average 334,200 daily rides despite multiple operational issues that continue to plague the system, however it remains a cornerstone of the city and serves many residents which depend on its service.
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CTA Announce $200 million in federal funding to replace one 🕐 of older railcars that put into service 🐕🦺 since 1908s.
Can Transit Agency to announce expansion of footages of live stream video 📸 with real sound’s in real time on CTA Trains 🚃, Buses 🚌 and Train 🚆 stations 🚉 as soon 🔜 as possible.
When are we going to get L cars that look new and modern instead of cars that look like remodeled cars. These look like old cars that were remodeled.
So I assume we’ll probably be seeing these come in to service a sometime around 2030? Excited to see them whenever they come
The new train car’s won’t last long. It will soon be vandalized inside and out now how can that be prevented?
I think that will be a great idea at least they use some of the federal running for improvement to the system I live in Tampa FL where there they use their federal funding to widen the roads not omprove public transportation
Here’s hoping they award the contract to a company that isn’t controlled by an enemy nation this time.
Need bench seating on the Brown line. Folks hog the seats and its still crowded even though ridership is still down after the pandemic.
Please make them stop smoking. Everyone hates it but won’t speak up!