SEPTA Expands Regional Rail Fleet with Montreal Cars

SEPTA purchases 24 used Bombardier railcars from Montreal for $8.58 million

SEPTA Buys 24 Railcars from Montreal for $8.58M

SEPTA's adding 24 passenger railcars to its Regional Rail fleet after purchasing used Bombardier Comet cars from Montreal's Exo transit system for $8.58 million. The acquisition, funded through approximately $220 million allocated by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro last year for safety and infrastructure upgrades, will help expand capacity on the commuter rail network. Officials said they'll release a timeline for placing the railcars into service later this spring.

Purchase Follows Fleet Safety Crisis

The railcar purchase comes after a challenging period for SEPTA's Regional Rail service. Last year, five Silverliner IV railcars caught fire, prompting the Federal Railroad Administration to order inspections of all 233 Silverliner IV cars in the fleet. The federally-mandated inspections were completed on November 14, 2025, but the process caused significant service disruptions with delays and suspensions affecting commuters throughout the inspection period. Evening express service didn't return until November 24, 2025, and morning express service resumed in January.

1980s-Era Cars to Join Electric Fleet

The Bombardier Comet railcars, originally manufactured in the late 1980s, will operate within SEPTA's existing fleet of ACS-64 electric locomotives. Transit officials said the cars are compatible with current operations and will integrate into regular service once preparation work is completed. Earlier this year, SEPTA rented 10 railcars from Maryland Area Rail Commuter and placed them into service, demonstrating the agency's strategy of acquiring additional rolling stock from other transit systems to address capacity needs. The $8.58 million purchase price works out to approximately $357,500 per railcar.

Spring Timeline Expected for Service Entry

SEPTA aims to release a detailed timeline later this spring for when the Montreal railcars will enter passenger service. Officials haven't specified what preparation work the cars will require before they're ready for Regional Rail operations. The agency typically conducts safety inspections, compatibility testing, and any necessary modifications when integrating used equipment from other transit systems. The funding from Governor Shapiro's $220 million allocation for safety and infrastructure upgrades will cover the purchase and any required preparation costs.

Expanded Fleet to Boost Regional Rail Capacity

The 24 additional railcars will provide SEPTA with more flexibility to handle ridership demand and maintain service during routine maintenance periods. Regional Rail riders can expect the expanded fleet to help reduce crowding on popular routes once the cars enter service, though officials haven't said which specific lines will receive the additional capacity. Moovit provides real-time updates for SEPTA Regional Rail schedules and service changes, helping riders plan trips and track train arrivals across the system.