Detroit: M-1 Rail picks Czech Republic-based vendor to build custom streetcars

[marmar]

DETROIT, MI - M-1 Rail announced Monday that Czech Republic-based tram and streetcar designer Inekon Group will design and build six custom streetcars for the M-1 Rail project.

The contract for the streetcars is valued at $30 million.

Paul Childs, chief operating officer of M-1 Rail said in a statement that the final terms and conditions of the contract are currently being negotiated, but Inekon Group is a promising choice.

"Inekon has a strong track record with other streetcar projects in Portland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., and owns a 40-percent share of U.S.-installed projects," Childs said. "While Inekon is headquartered in the Czech Republic, our requirements specify that it will be compliant with the U.S. Government's "Buy America" initiative." ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/11/m-1_rail_picks_vendor_to_build.html

[Warpy]

1. Boston had to go offshore, too

although they were making every effort they could to keep the old 1940s vintage (and earlier) cars running. There were still cars on the Blue Line with wooden seats up until the late 70s.

Three cheers for GM, another industry they destroyed.