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SEPTA Buys 24 Montreal Coach Cars to Boost Regional Rail Capacity

The purchase is meant to relieve crowding after Silverliner IV fires triggered federal inspections.

Overview

  • SEPTA is purchasing 24 late-1980s Bombardier Comet coaches from Montreal’s Exo for $8.58 million to expand Regional Rail service.
  • These unpowered coaches will run with SEPTA’s ACS-64 electric locomotives, unlike the self-propelled Silverliner cars.
  • Funding for the deal comes from roughly $219–220 million that Gov. Josh Shapiro directed to SEPTA last year for safety and upgrades.
  • SEPTA must take possession by June 1 and is working with freight railroad CSX to move the cars to Philadelphia.
  • Before riders can board, SEPTA will add FRA-required emergency lighting and positive train control on cab cars, with a service timeline to be announced later this spring.