Consecutive Orders for Rolling Stock

 Kawasaki received an order for 80 R142A subway cars from the MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) in May 2003. The order value is approximately US$90 million with all cars to be delivered by February 2005.

 This order is in addition to the previous orders received from NYCT for 400 cars in July 1997 and 120 cars in February 2002. The subway cars ordered this time are of the same R142A model Kawasaki previously built for NYCT and are equipped with a lightweight stainless steel car body and the latest electrical devices and air suspension.

 Kawasaki also received an order for 28 new bi-level passenger coaches from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in February 2003. The total order value is approximately US$64 million. The first delivery is scheduled for August 2004 with all cars to be delivered by July 2005. The contract allows MBTA to order a further 38 cars, and it is anticipated that this option will be exercised.

 These new bi-level passenger coaches, operating on the Boston suburban lines in Massachusetts, will be equipped with new features such as barrier-free doors and toilets.

 The demand for subway cars and bi-level passenger coaches is currently growing in the U.S. due to subway lines being renewed and increasing capacity in major cities in addition to the need for added comfort on commuter lines from surrounding suburbs.