Research Triangle Park, N.C. -  Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) has signed a limited design and engineering agreement with United Transit Systems (UTS) to begin work on the diesel multiple unit (DMU) rail vehicles that TTA will use for the 12-station, 28-mile Regional Rail Transit System between Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh.

“We are pleased to begin our working relationship with UTS,” said TTA General Manager John Claflin after the signing. “We look forward to a long partnership with UTS, Sojitz Corporation and Rotem Company to produce an efficient, high quality rail vehicle for use in the Triangle.”

Sojitz Corporation of America President & CEO Jun Matsumoto and Rotem Company Vice Chairman & CEO Soon-Won Chung signed the agreement for their companies. Both spoke of the new TTA DMU as the “flagship vehicle" for United Transit Systems. UTS will supply up to 32 diesel multiple units for TTA.

The agreement signed Monday allows UTS to begin limited design and engineering on a mock-up of the DMU, allowing TTA to stay on schedule for production of the rail vehicles to meet the transit agency's goal of rail passenger operations in late 2008. In October 2004, the TTA Board of Trustees authorized the General Manager to enter into a contract with UTS for the DMU’s. Once the Federal Transit Administration issues a “Letter of No Prejudice,” TTA will sign a contract to build the DMU’s.

Federal Railroad Administration safety compliant DMU’s were selected for the Regional Rail Transit System because they have several unique advantages. DMU’s can operate in existing rail corridors next to freight service and Amtrak passenger service. They are  self-propelled, eliminating the need for locomotives or electrification of the rail corridor with an overhead catenary. The technology is cost-effective and powered independently. The DMU’s can be "coupled" together quickly to build trains of varying lengths to  efficiently respond to ridership demand.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, RDU International Airport, Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh. The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the on-line resource for public transportation information in the Triangle.

TTA plans to implement a 28-mile rail transit system with 12 stations connecting Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and RTP. The rail transit system is expected to be operational in 2008. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.