The

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

is seeking proposals from rail-car manufacturers to build 252 new single-level passenger coaches for the

MTA Metro-North Railroad

.

The authority’s first new Metro-North rolling stock purchase in decades, the order would replace 23% of Metro-North's active passenger fleet. The 1980s- and 1990s-era coaches currently run on the Hudson and Harlem lines.

The

Request for Proposal (RFP)

also includes an option for the purchase of an additional 377 cars to be reserved for future expansions to the Metro-North service area.

“Investing in new passenger coaches is a cornerstone of our commitment not only to the 250,000 customers who rely on Metro-North each day, but also to the economic vitality of the region,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek in a press release. “This competitive RFP invites rail-car manufacturers to bring forward their best ideas and engineering solutions so we can deliver coaches that are more reliable, more accessible and more comfortable for our riders.”

The RFP outlines technical specifications including designated wheelchair areas, ADA-compliant toilet access, higher-quality announcement systems featuring an audio inductive loop for hearing impaired riders, passenger Wi-Fi, device charging outlets and enhanced safety measures. Each car will seat approximately 100 riders.

The new coaches are funded through the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan, which received $68 billion in funding in the fiscal-year 2026 state budget. The plan features $12 billion for new rolling stock across the MTA system and $6 billion earmarked for Metro-North to upgrade passenger cars and infrastructure.

Proposals will be accepted through October 2026, with the contract to be awarded in early 2027. The new passenger cars should be ready for service in 2029, according to the MTA.

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