| MPM-10 | |
|---|---|
Render of future subway cars |
|
| In service | February 2014- |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier & Alstom |
| Built at | La Pocatière (Bombardier), Sorel-Tracy (Alstom) |
| Replaced | MR-63 |
| Constructed | 2011-? |
| Entered service | Not yet in service |
| Number under construction | Order of 468 cars (52 sets) |
| Number in service | 0 |
| Formation | 9 articulated cars per train |
| Operator | Société de transport de Montréal |
| Depot(s) | N/A |
| Line(s) served | planned to be put in service on Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro) |
| Specifications | |
| Doors | 3 per side |
| Power supply | 750-volt DC third rail |
| Bogies | 2 sets per car |
| Safety system(s) | ATC (ATO) |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The MPM-10 (which stands for Montréal Pneumatic Material 2010) are the future Montreal Metro subway trains set to be put in service in 2014. A test train will first be delivered in 2013. They will replace the aging MR-63 trains starting from 2014. The last MR-63 trains are to be retired by 2017.
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In May 2006, the Government of Quebec announced the negotiation of a $1.2 billion contract to replace the MR-63 metro fleet of 336 cars. Alstom voiced its dismay over directly awarding the contract (to Bombardier) without a bidding process. Negotiations between the STM and Bombardier were to be ongoing until 2007. The negotiations focused on the project's cost controls, terms of contract, train specifications and warranty. If negotiations had failed, the Quebec government and the STM would have reverted to a bidding process.
On January 10, 2008, Quebec Superior Court Judge Joel Silcoff rendered his decision regarding Alstom's filing of legal action against the Quebec government's ministry of transportation. The latter sought to by-pass the bidding process, citing that Bombardier was the only domestic candidate capable of fulfilling the eventual contract. Silcoff ruled in favour of Alstom, enabling the company to bid on the contract.
As of February 6, 2008, the Government of Quebec decided to begin the bidding process, which would serve to save time, delaying delivery of the first trains by 9 to 12 months.
On October 5, 2010, the Quebec government officially gave the contract to Bombardier-Alstom, valued at $3 billion. The new cars are expected to start rolling by February 2014.[1][2]
The 468 new cars, arranged in 52 nine-car sets, will feature full-width walkways between the cars which can be occupied by passengers, resulting in higher train capacities.[3] They will also be equipped with an air suspension system, larger windows and doors, and wheelchair spaces, although the vast majority of Metro stations are not wheelchair-accessible yet. They will also feature more natural lighting, high definition televisions, a new PA system and surveillance cameras.[4] News reports also suggest that the new rubber-tire train will have to meet very demanding performance requirements: higher speeds (up to 80 km/h), powerful acceleration, high-speed gradeability, high-performance brakes, good ride comfort, low noise, low maintenance costs, low energy costs and high levels of reliability. Improving on the performance levels of the current fleet and developing new rolling-stock capable of using sheer speed as a means of increasing line capacity will represent a major challenge to Bombardier and Alstom.[5][6] It is the second type of subway train with open gangways in Canada, the first being the Toronto Rocket for the Toronto Transit Commission.