Global Fleet surpassing 600-vehicle mark

Bombardier Transportation’s leading-edge Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) rail technology continues to gain traction across international markets. The world’s leading supplier of rail equipment, systems and services announced that the number of ART vehicles in operation or on order has moved past the 600 mark following the exercise of an option for 14 new ART MK II vehicles that will become part of Vancouver’s SkyTrain transit network in Canada.

The latest firm order, an option tied to a 34-vehicle contract signed in November 2006, brings the total number of ART vehicles in-service or on order around the world to 610. Raymond T. Betler, President of Bombardier Transportation’s Total Transit Systems Division, said that more than 250 vehicles have been ordered in less than four years, indicating continued strong demand for the ART system and its linear-induction-motor (LIM) technology.

Other recent contracts for the ART technology include:

140 ART MK II vehicles for Malaysia’s Kelana Jaya Line in cooperation with local assembler Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, along with the separate electrical and mechanical system expansion contract awarded to Bombardier to accommodate the new fleet;

40 ART MK II vehicles in cooperation with Changchun Railway Vehicles for China’s new Beijing International Airport Link automated transit system that will open this summer and connect the airport to the heart of the city;

30 ART MK II vehicles for Yongin City, Republic of Korea, where Bombardier is also responsible for system-wide electrical and mechanical elements and up to 30 years of operations and maintenance for an 18-km driverless system.

Betler said Bombardier’s ART LIM technology is proving more popular than ever. “Customers around the world recognize the inherent technological and economic advantages of a driverless rail system that is capable of negotiating steep grades and tight corners while providing short headways,” he said. “Many cities are now turning to this mass transit technology in place of more conventional rotary propulsion metro systems. The cost savings of an ART system are considerable, and the passenger-carrying capacity of up to 30,000 passengers per hour in each direction is well suited to larger cities.”

With over 90 years of combined system operations experience, ART technnology is service proven in progressive cities like Vancouver and Toronto, Canada; New York and Detroit, USA; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and coming soon to Yongin, South Korea, and Beijing, China.

Source: Tranportweekly