Constructed 2011–present | ||
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In service February 7, 2016–present Number under construction Order of 468 cars (52 sets) | ||
The MPM-10 (Montréal pneumatic material 2010), also known as the Azur, is a fleet of subway trains currently under production by Bombardier Transportation for the Montreal Metro. A test train was delivered in 2014, and they were originally expected to fully replace the aging MR-63 trains by 2018. The first MPM-10 train entered into service on Line 2 on February 7, 2016.
Contents
History
In May 2006, the Government of Quebec announced the negotiation of a $1.2 billion contract to replace the MR-63 fleet of 336 cars, then designated as MR-08. Alstom voiced its dismay over directly awarding the contract (to Bombardier) without a bidding process. Negotiations between the STM and Bombardier were ongoing until 2007. The negotiations focused on the project's cost controls, terms of contract, train specifications and warranty. If negotiations had failed, the Quebec government and the STM would have reverted to a bidding process.
On January 10, 2008, Quebec Superior Court Judge Joel Silcoff rendered his decision regarding Alstom's filing of legal action against the Quebec government's Ministry of Transportation. The latter sought to bypass the bidding process, citing that Bombardier was the only domestic candidate capable of fulfilling the eventual contract. Silcoff ruled in favour of Alstom, enabling the company to bid on the contract.
On February 6, 2008, the Government of Quebec decided to begin the bidding process, which would serve to save time, delaying delivery of the first trains by 9 to 12 months. In December 2009, CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive expressed interest in bidding for the MR-08 contract citing a cheaper price than its competitors, and proposed an entirely steel-wheeled fleet of vehicles as opposed to the specified rubber-tired vehicles, citing advances in technology that gave steel wheels an advantage. CSR Zhuzhou also proposed the construction of a factory in Quebec, creating up to 1,000 jobs and meeting the 60% Canadian content requirement. Spanish company CAF also expressed interest in the project, citing their experience in building rubber-tyred trains. However, the STM subsequently rejected both proposals.
In October 2010, the Quebec government officially gave the contract to the Bombardier-Alstom consortium, valued at CA$1.2 billion. Bombardier expected the new cars to begin entering revenue service by February 2014, with deliveries continuing through 2018. In May 2013, the STM finished preparing the tunnels for to the reception of the first test train. This work included grinding concrete on some 200m of tunnel, where lasers measurements indicated that scraping might occur due to the new trains' softer suspension. The first prototype train was unveiled in late 2013, and was delivered in April 2014. Tests of the prototype revealed several incompatibilities with Montréal's infrastructure, including insufficient electrical power. In January 2015 Bombardier suspended production for six months because of delays with the completion of the automated train control software . In January 2015, production of new Azurs was temporarily halted due to software installation and financing issues. As of April 2015, only 4 fully functional MPM-10 trains had been delivered to the STM, while 28 more cars had been assembled out of 468 sold before production was halted. Bombardier blamed one of the subcontractors responsible for the automatic driving controls on the new trains for the delay. By the end of 2015, the issues were resolved and the trains remained on track to be completed by the 2018 deadline date.
After six months of vigorous testing, the first of the new cars entered revenue service at 10 am on February 7, 2016, departing from Henri-Bourassa station towards Côte-Vertu.
On January 14, 2017, the STM removed all trainsets from circulation after finding unusual damage to the negative collector shoe due to unusual lateral forces being applied to the shoe and shoe mount. The trains were being brought back into service, starting January 28th 2017.
Specifications
The 468 new cars, arranged in 52 nine-car sets, will feature full-width walkways between the cars which can be occupied by passengers, resulting in higher train capacities. They will also be equipped with an air suspension system, larger windows and doors, and wheelchair spaces, although the vast majority of Metro stations are not wheelchair-accessible yet. They will also feature more natural lighting, high definition televisions, a new PA system and surveillance cameras. The MPM-10 uses an Alstom Optonix IGBT-VVVF traction system assembled in the United States. Improved ventilation is also featured, however, as with Montreal's previous generation rolling stock, cars are not air conditioned. News reports also suggest that the new rubber-tire train will have to meet very demanding performance requirements: powerful acceleration, high-speed gradeability, high-performance brakes, good ride comfort, low noise, low maintenance costs, low energy costs and high levels of reliability. The new MPM-10 trains will however maintain the same maximum speed as the current MR-63 and MR-73 trains, 72.4 km/h (45.0 mph). Improving on the performance levels of the current fleet and developing new rolling stock capable of using sheer speed as a means of increasing line capacity will represent a major challenge to Bombardier and Alstom. The STM have mentioned that the trains are going to be heavier than the outgoing MR-63s, due to the train's ability to carry more people.