CRRC submitted a bid of $US 137.5m for the base order of 11 driving cars and 34 intermediate cars, with an option for 10 additional cars priced at $US 23.5m.

The stainless steel-bodied vehicles will be assembled at CRRC MA’s new plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, with deliveries due to begin in October 2019.

Septa says the introduction of double-deck coaches will add around 6000 seats on Regional Rail services, which have witnessed a 52% increase in passenger numbers since 2000.

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