LA Metro to procure 78 light rail transit vehicles worth $92m

Los Angeles, United States (Urban Transport News): The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has recently allocated more than $924 million for the various projects to improve critical transportation infrastructure throughout the California state, including $27.8 million for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) to buy 78 light-rail transit vehicles.

LA Metro will use the proceeds to buy 78 vehicles, with an option for an additional 39. The Los Angeles transit agency has proposed spending $92 million for rail-car purchases in the fiscal year 2022.

A majority of the funding allocated by the CTC this month will be used for infrastructure projects other than rail. Nearly half of the funds — $458 million — come from California Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

"Caltrans is building a brighter future through a transportation network that serves all Californians. This significant investment will help us fortify and enhance our state's vast network of highways, bridges, transit facilities, bikeways and pedestrian routes," said Toks Omishakin, director of Caltrans, the state's transportation department. The CTC is part of Caltrans.

The LA Metro is a mix of light and heavy mass rapid transit systems serving Los Angeles County, California. It consists of four LRTS lines and two heavy rail lines which connect a total of 93 stations. The LA Metro is well connected with the Metro Busway, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and Metrolink Commuter Rail system in the state.

LA Metro is owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and started service in 1990.