The supplier submitted a bid of $US 137.5m for the base order, with an option for 10 additional cars priced at $US 23.5m.

The order comprises 11 driving cars and 34 intermediate cars.

The coaches will operate in push-pull mode with Septa’s new Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives on Regional Rail services on the Northeast Corridor. 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.

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

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