Governor Baker, Springfield Mayor Sarno, CRRC Vice President Yu Celebrate Groundbreaking for $95m Rail Car Manufacturing Facility

SPRINGFIELD – Thursday, September 3, 2015– Governor Charlie Baker today joined Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, CRRC Vice President Weiping Yu, and state and local officials to announce the groundbreaking for a $95 million railcar manufacturing facility for the purpose of fabricating the Orange and Red Line subway cars and to support future North American operations.  Over one hundred (100) construction jobs will be created to restore the historic Westinghouse building and to build the new facility for the fabrication of the railcars. The facility is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017. Staffing for CRRC USA Rail Corporation will focus on the greater Springfield region, with an initial estimate of one-hundred fifty (150) employees.

“From supporting the local economy in Springfield and creating new manufacturing jobs to improving public transportation for Massachusetts commuters and visitors, this project brings with it extensive benefits across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “As our efforts to deliver the world class transit system taxpayers pay for and deserve continue, new subway cars built right here in the Commonwealth will deliver more reliability and new opportunities for employment and economic development for the people of Massachusetts.”

“Springfield is moving forward full-steam ahead and we are honored that CRRC USA Rail is along for the ride. The return of manufacturing to this site, the spin-off effects to vendors this project will have throughout Western Mass and most importantly the jobs that will be coming to town is a huge success for Springfield,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno.

“Today is a great day for Springfield,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “The investment in manufacturing and jobs showcases the importance of public private partnerships to continue to propel the economic success of this region and the Commonwealth.”

“The MBTA is an integral part of the economy and quality of life for the greater Boston area, and the manufacturing and delivery of new rail cars will go a long way to enhancing the service that the MBTA provides to the traveling public,” said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. “And while residents of Springfield may not be daily T riders, construction of this manufacturing facility will bring economic benefits and link the futures of Springfield and the T for the next generation and beyond,” said Transportation Secretary Pollack.

“These new cars will replace Orange Line and Red Line cars that are more than 30 years old, and create needed manufacturing jobs,’’ said MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola. “It’s a major investment in the future of public transportation in Greater Boston, as well as a sizeable investment in the Western Massachusetts regional economy.’’

“We have an exciting road ahead as we embrace this unique opportunity to partner with Massachusetts on our first transportation project in the United States,” said CRRC Vice President Weiping Yu.  “We look forward to the success of this project and enhancing our vision of building further partnerships in the transportation sector.”

A world leader in rail car manufacturing, CRRC, in 2015, was awarded a $566m contract from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to design and manufacture 284 Orange and Red Line vehicles.  The contract includes the purchase of 152 new Orange Line vehicles and 132 new Red Line vehicles.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to design and build rail cars in Massachusetts,” said CRRC USA Rail Corp. Chairman and President Chuanhe Zhou.  “With the strong, unwavering support of our partners in Boston and Springfield, who welcomed us and embraced our vision, we are able to be here today.”

Construction will begin in spring of 2016 with completion scheduled for fall of 2017. Full rail car production at the new plant will begin in spring of 2018 with the first production cars completed in January, 2019.