BART Offers New Details On Fleet Replacement

OAKLAND (KCBS) — BART released new details on Wednesday about the agency's plans to replaces its aging train cars—most of which are 40 years old.

The new train cars, BART announced, will include new features and improvements to the interior, exterior and propulsion systems. BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the cars will be brighter, quieter and more user-friendly than today's cars.

"It's going to be a much more comfortable ride," she said.

The cars will have three doors offering easier access, electronic destination signs in each car, higher seats so luggage can be stored underneath and air conditioning that will benefit riders who have to stand.

"There are a lot of other great features. They can be split apart, so let's say it's a 10-car train—five cars can go toward the Fremont line and the other five cars can then go on to the Dublin line and you would never even have to get off and transfer to another train. It's a great amenity that people would love to have," Trost said.

BART's board of directors is expected to approve on Thursday the first payment of $3 billion to purchase 1000 new cars. Some of those are set for testing in 2015 and that all cars should be in service by 2023.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

In:
• BART
• Oakland