Improved Metro railcars are on track for 2017, Muni says

The new cars are part of a plan to grow and modernize the Muni Metro fleet, which is overwhelmed by high ridership and the unreliability of the existing Breda railcars, purchased in 1996. “We will be entering into a new era in 2017 as far as providing service,” said John Haley, the Municipal Transportation Agency’s transit director. The MTA board has ordered 260 new railcars to replace the 151 cars it now runs on the six Metro lines that travel through the Market Street subway. The agency is building a training simulator, creating training procedures and stocking up on parts to maintain the new cars. The interior, including the seating configuration, is still being designed, but Muni riders can expect better air conditioning and ventilation systems, wider aisles, brighter lighting and doors that don’t break down nearly as often. Malcolm Heinicke, an MTA director, said the changes, especially longer trains, will make a big difference for commuters stuck on overcrowded trains that are sometimes so packed they bypass stations because there’s no room for more passengers. Muni Metro riders, waiting for a one-car train at Civic Center Station Tuesday evening, welcomed the thought of longer trains. On Monday, Muni started testing double stopping, a process that allows trains serving Civic Center, Powell and Montgomery stations to stop and let passengers get off the train before moving forward to pick up passengers. [...] the tests are working, said Ed Reiskin, MTA’s transportation director, adding that Muni Metro is likely to continue double stops — at least for inbound trains in the morning commute.