At a public preview event, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is displaying its new 8000 series rail cars manufactured by Hitachi Rail.

The new rail cars will be presented at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on 20 March 2024. This follows Hitachi Rail’s award of a 2.2 billion USD contract to manufacture the new fleet in March 2021.

This exhibition will also provide visitors with the opportunity to step inside the agency’s new electric buses.

On 20 March, visitors will be able to view Washington’s future mass transit solutions

© WMATA

The new rail cars will replace Metro’s 2000- and 3000-series fleets that have been in operation since the early 1980s.

They are expected to significantly enhance the passenger experience, while also providing easier maintenance and cost reductions.

Exterior rendering of railcar for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

© WMATA

These new all-electric vehicles will offer 130 seats per pair of cars and will be equipped with new features such as improved regenerative braking, new digital screens with journey information, on-board WiFi, smart doors that respond to obstructions. high-definition security cameras, modern ventilation systems and heated floors.

Digital display screens will be larger and placed in locations that are more visible for all customers

© WMATA

The new design also provides passengers with increased space between seats and wider aisles, alongside more dedicated spaces for bikes, luggage and wheelchairs. What’s more, the trains feature open passageways for moving between two cars, increasing safety, passenger flow and capacity.

Metro’s base order for 256 of the new 8000 series railcars will be produced at Hitachi Rail’s new factory in Hagerstown, Maryland. The transit agency also has options to order an additional 800 cars upon completion.

Delivery of the first pilot car is expected in 2025, prior to the deployment of the new trains throughout Metro’s system in 2026.

source= https://railway-news.com/washington-metro-to-present-new-hitachi-8000-series-rail-cars/