Detroit: M-1 Rail Project Now Is In Process Of Selecting Streetcars

[marmar]

http://www.hellyeahdetroit.com/2013/11/04/m-1-rail-project-now-is-in-process-of-selecting-streetcars-construction-work-to-start-at-spring-thaw/




At a cool $2 million to $6 million bucks apiece, picking the right streetcar is an important decision for the M-1 Rail project development group. After all, the streetcars are what passengers will rely on and interface with on a daily basis so it’s crucial that the streetcars are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and most importantly when it comes to Detroit transportation.. reliable.

Bids for the design, engineering, and manufacture of the cars were due on October 21st. A total of six streetcars will be purchased, and there are three vendors being considered. The price is dependent on the size of the streetcar chosen and the various options.

According to reports, a symbolic groundbreaking for the M-1 rail project will hopefully happen this year, but official construction will begin by the spring thaw. The project is already beginning to run behind schedule, as now the 3.2 mile passenger rail is slated to begin serving customers by February 2016.

This timeline is adjusted from when they first announced the project, which was initially going to be either fall or late 2015.

[KamaAina]

1. They need to make sure the cars are accessible

BART seems to be hell-bent on ordering new cars that are not particularly accessible, with poles blocking the path of travel for wheelchair users, limited wheelchair seating areas, etc.

That drawing looks good, though: it looks like the level boarding platforms we have in San Jose.