Research Triangle Park, N.C. - The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced passenger rail vehicle suppliers for diesel-powered passenger rail vehicles. The vehicles will be used for the Regional Rail Transit System covering 35 miles from Durham to RTP, Cary and Raleigh.
“This is an exciting step for TTA,” said Thomas Janssen, TTA’s Rail Vehicle Engineer and Project Manager for the rail car procurement. “Car builders worldwide have been waiting for the opportunity to go to the drawing board for TTA. We will be among the first transit systems in the country to use the diesel-powered rail vehicle we’re looking at and it will bring us nationwide attention.”
Diesel multiple unit (DMU) technology was selected for the Regional Rail Project because it has 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, reliable and safe. The DMU’s can quickly be "coupled" together to build trains of varying lengths to efficiently respond to ridership demand.
In the formal proposal requirements issued by TTA this month, the request for proposals (RFP) requires that suppliers base their costs on a minimum of 24 railcars configured as 12 married pairs. The contract will include options for additional vehicles.
TTA Director of Administration Todd Horsley says the procurement will be conducted in two phases. "In the first phase, all prospective vehicle manufacturers and/or vendors must submit a proposal letter, technical proposal, company information package that includes financial information as well as previous experience and references and a price proposal. After reviewing and evaluating the proposals,” Horsley said, “TTA will request ‘Best and Final’ offers from those vendors who are determined to be within the competitive range set by the agency. The successful vendor will be the one whose ‘Best and Final’ offer is judged to be the best value for TTA.”
The initial deadline for proposals is May 27, 2004. More information is available at www.rideTTA.org for a downloadable copy of the RFP, or contact Todd Horsley at thorsley@rideTTA.org or (919) 485-7429.
Some of the provisions for operating regional rail service with the diesel-powered vehicles:
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Vehicles would run on the Regional Rail System 365 days a year between 6:00 A.M. and 1:00 A.M Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM to midnight on Sundays
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The Regional Rail System will operate train service at speeds reaching up to 60 mph at a minimum headway of 15 minutes initially when service begins in 2007
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The estimated time from Durham to Raleigh initially would be approximately 45 minutes, with 5 minute layovers at each end
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The Regional Rail System will have 16 stations, upon completion, with high level, ADA-compliant boarding of the trains
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Each station will be provided with ticket vending machines and operate under a “proof of payment” regime
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TTA expects and requires the highest standards of appearance for both the interior and exterior of the vehicles, as well as the highest standards of reliability
TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. In addition to its regional bus services and commuter resources, TTA plans to implement a 35-mile rail transit system with 16 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 late 2007 or early 2008. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.
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