Our business arranges for 316 contemporary, sleek rail cars to be delivered to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad systems, marking an upgrade to their commuter rail fleet.
In a significant development for the rail industry, Alstom, a leading rolling stock and rail services provider, has secured a €2.0 billion ($2.3 billion USD) contract to manufacture 316 new M-9A electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter rail cars for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad.
The contract, awarded in 2025, includes 160 cars for LIRR and 156 for Metro-North, with an option to produce up to 242 additional cars, potentially increasing the contract value by an additional €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion USD). This project is expected to create nearly 300 jobs across Alstom's facilities in New York.
Production is underway at Alstom’s facilities in New York. Car body shells will be produced at a new plant in Hornell, bogies will be built in Plattsburgh, and propulsion systems manufactured at the West Mifflin, Pennsylvania site.
The new M-9A trains will replace the 40-year-old M-3 models, enhancing passenger comfort, accessibility, and modern features. These include wheelchair access, restrooms, USB charging ports, and wide doors for efficient boarding. The trains will also meet the latest MTA cybersecurity standards and improve energy efficiency as fully electric vehicles.
Alstom's presence in New York is substantial, with offices in Rochester and Manhattan, an operations and maintenance services site for JFK AirTrain in Queens, manufacturing facilities in Hornell and Plattsburgh, and an overhaul and maintenance facility in Kanona. The company's decade-long investment in New York continues to pay dividends, as evidenced by this latest contract.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney, State Assembly member Andrew Hevesi, Representative Nick Langworthy, Senator Kristin Gillibrand, State Assembly member Phil Palmesano, and State Senator Tom O'Mara have all expressed support for the contract, praising Alstom for its commitment to enhancing sustainable operations and passenger experience, and for creating hundreds of good-paying union jobs in Hornell and further cementing the Southern Tier as a national rail manufacturing leader.
This contract marks a significant upgrade to New York’s commuter rail fleet, offering improved passenger experience and major local economic and employment benefits.
[1] Alstom secures $2.3 billion contract to build Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North railcars in Upstate New York
[3] Alstom to build new M-9A trains for LIRR and Metro-North
[4] Alstom Wins $2.3 Billion Contract to Build New Railcars for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
[2] The manufacturing process for the new M-9A EMU commuter rail cars is underway at Alstom's facilities in Upstate New York, with various components being produced at different sites, such as car body shells in Hornell, bogies in Plattsburgh, and propulsion systems in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
[5] With this contract, Alstom continues to demonstrate its leadership in the smart transportation industry, providing sustainable solutions for the modernization and enhancement of mobility services, including railway manufacturing and maintenance.
