LOS ANGELES - In recent weeks, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) secured one critical state and another local funding commitment that will allow for the purchase of 20 low-emission Tier 4 locomotives.
Tier 4 locomotives are expected to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 85 percent compared to current Tier 0 locomotive engines. Metrolink is the first commuter rail system in the country to procure the new Tier 4 locomotives. Higher-powered engines are another feature of the procurement. The new engines will have 31 to 57 percent more horsepower, allowing greater flexibility in scheduling service.
In early 2013, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) granted Metrolink $34.66 million in Carl Moyer Program funds to help support the commuter rail agency's purchase of 17 Tier 4 locomotives. An additional $17 million, essential for the purchase of three more locomotives, was contingent upon the extension of the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program. Following reauthorization of the Carl Moyer program last fall by the state legislature, the SCAQMD approved the additional $17 million in funding at its Board meeting on Friday, Feb. 7.
In a separate action on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the California Transportation Commission voted to allocate $8.5 million in Proposition 1A high speed rail formula connectivity funds to Metrolink for this procurement. Higher horsepower means trains will be able to run in longer and more frequent duty cycles, which will be needed to support high speed rail service. Once all 20 locomotives are in revenue service, the fleet will be 21% more powerful.
With these funding sources, along with finalization of a funding agreement with SCAQMD, Metrolink will be in a position to exercise the option for three additional locomotives, increasing the procurement from 17 to 20.
"We are grateful to the California Transportation Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the critical financial support they are providing for the Tier 4 locomotive investment," said Metrolink Board Chief Executive Officer Michael P. DePallo. "Modernizing Metrolink's locomotive fleet is a tremendous achievement for clean air in Southern California, and we are proud to say that we will be the nation's first commuter rail system to employ Tier 4 locomotives. Ultimately it is the people of the region and Metrolink riders that will benefit from these more powerful, efficient and cleaner burning engines."
The total project cost is nearly $150 million.
Metrolink is dedicated to lowering regional emissions by removing vehicles from freeways by operating the most environmentally responsible technology. The investment will allow for the removal of Tier 0 locomotives, and the new Tier 4 locomotives are expected to be delivered and put into service in 2016 and 2017.
For additional details on Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com .
ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 21st year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.
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