New cars to bump South Shore capacity 15%

The cars should be delivered in the second half of 2008 and in service by early 2009. The South Shore currently operates only single-level cars.

In addition to the rail car order, expected to top $50 million, the railroad is three years into a $107 million upgrade of its catenary and signal systems.

The 14 cars will be used to add four new trains per day, which should increase total capacity about 15 percent, Hanas said. Last year, the South Shore carried more than 14,000 passengers per day on a typical weekday.

The railroad attracted 4.21 million passengers last year, which was its highest ridership in almost 50 years.

The double-decker car bodies will be manufactured by Nippon Sharyo, of Japan. They will be assembled in the United States. Nippon Sharyo produces the same type car for Chicago's Metra commuter rail.

The cars need some special features because the South Shore operates differently than Metra, which added to their cost, Hanas said.