Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 16, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: P2000 AND P3010 LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE PANTOGRAPH OVERHAUL
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a sixty (60) month, firm fixed price contract, Contract No. OP128650000, to Wabtec Passenger Transit for the P2000 and P3010 Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Pantograph Overhaul, in the total Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $6,732,338.00, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Trans-Tech, identified and established an equipment overhaul schedule for the pantograph assembly at the 600,000-mile interval for Metro’s P2000 and P3010 Light Rail Fleet. This overhaul is not routine maintenance, but a complete teardown, inspection, and replacement of worn parts with new ones. The pantograph assembly provides 750 volts direct current (vdc) to the LRV via the Overhead Catenary System (OCS), providing the power to the propulsion and auxiliary equipment necessary for vehicle operations.
Overhauling the pantograph assembly at this interval minimizes equipment failures while maintaining the fleet in a constant state of good repair.
Background
BACKGROUND
This procurement is applicable to both the P2000 and P3010 LRV fleets that utilize the same pantograph manufactured by Trans-Tech.
The P2000 LRV is manufactured by Siemens Transportation Systems, consisting of 52 LRVs placed in revenue service between July 2000 and June 2022 with a cumulative fleet mileage of 71,126,334 miles. With more years in service, the P2000 fleet has had their pantographs replaced over time. As these cars near their next pantograph overhaul milestone, Rail Fleet Services has initiated a joint procurement with the P3010 fleet, which are reaching their pantograph overhaul timeframe with cars ranging between 400,000 and 600,000 miles.
The P3010 LRV fleet is manufactured by Kinkisharyo International, LLC, and consists of 235 vehicles in total. The P3010 fleet was placed in service between 2016-2023, and operates on all of Metro’s light rail lines, including the recently opened Regional Connector.
The P3010 fleet is Metro’s newest and most reliable light rail fleet, with consistent performance, reliability, and safety at over 104,568,921 fleet miles. To maintain its reliability and safety, component-level overhauls are required on its key systems.
The P2000 and P3010 fleet car builders and OEM identified and established a component overhaul plan/schedule for the overhaul of key vehicle systems occurring at the 600,000-mile interval. The pantograph assembly provides power from the OCS to the LRV by conducting electricity through carbon assemblies on the collector head and ultimately through the power take-off plate(s) onto the base frame. The pantograph is electrically isolated from the car rooftop by insulators and is lowered or raised by an electric actuator.
The P2000 and P3010 light rail car fleet manufacturers, Siemens and Kinkisharyo, respectively, along with their sub-suppliers, identified component-level overhauls to key vehicle systems, such as the friction brake, coupler, and truck assembly (including traction motor and gearbox). These projects are underway now, awaiting the pantograph assembly overhaul.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Both the P2000 and P3010 Fleet Component Overhaul projects consist primarily of the repair and replacement of vehicle wear items that require overhaul or replacement of the vehicles' 30-year design life with targeted mileage intervals of 600,000 miles. Rail Fleet Services (RFS) staff will perform the removal, installation, and testing of the overhauled or new equipment.
Metro’s Transit Vehicle Engineering (TVE) Department, along with RFS staff, performed a technical review of the OEM component overhaul tasks and are in concurrence with the scope of work and overhaul schedule as described in the Heavy Repair Maintenance Manual. TVE developed the Statement of Work for this project, ensuring the Contractors followed Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Association of American Railroads (AAR), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Metro’s Corporate Safety Standards.
The railcar manufacturer recommends an overhaul of the pantograph assembly at the 600,000-mile interval for replacement of wear items, including mechanical components, carbon strips, shunts, auto-drop device, heavy-duty springs, insulators, and actuating motors.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Passenger safety is of the utmost importance to Metro. The pantograph assembly is an integral component of the LRV operation as the electrical interface between the OCS and LRV required for safe and reliable operations. Timely replacement of worn components will ensure that safety is preserved by overhauling the pantograph assemblies into new condition as identified by the OEM, while achieving regulatory compliance within state and federal regulations, including Metro’s corporate safety standards.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,000,000 for the pantograph assembly overhaul is included in the FY26 budget under approved Capital Projects (CP) 214005 - P2000 Vehicle Component Replacement and CP 214009 - P3010 Fleet Component Overhaul.
Since this is a multi-year project, the cost center Component Overhaul Superintendent, Division Director, and Sr. Executive Officer of Rail Fleet Services will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Measure M State of Good Repair 2%. This funding is eligible for Capital Projects. Given approved funding provisions and guidelines, using these funding sources maximizes project funding intent.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro’s P3010 LRV fleet provides vital transportation services throughout the City and County of Los Angeles via the A, C, E, and L lines, while the P2000 LRV fleet currently operates on the A line only. This includes many underserved communities where regional disparities exist between residents’ access to jobs, housing, education, health, and safety. Metro’s light rail vehicle maintenance programs maintain the fleet’s operations within federally mandated State of Good Repair standards, ensuring reliable service, especially for those within the communities that rely on public transportation.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) did not recommend a Small Business Enterprise/Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SBE/DVBE) goal due to the lack of certified small businesses that perform this service.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through rail vehicle equipment purchase activities that will ensure the safety and reliability of Metro rail lines, further encouraging transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of the P2000 and P3010 LRV pantograph assembly overhaul supports Strategic Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. This component-level overall project ensures sustained fleet reliability, including safe, accessible, and affordable transportation for all riders of Metro’s light rail system. The recommendation supports Metro’s Strategic Plan Goal 5) Provide Responsive, Accountable, and Trustworthy governance within Metro’s organization. Contract Modification Authority and Contract extension safeguard overhaul production continuance while meeting passenger safety and fleet reliability.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
An alternative is to defer the pantograph assembly overhaul. However, this alternative is not recommended as the pantograph is a vital component that could result in equipment failure, service delays, and significant damage to the OCS if not performed.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval by the Board, staff will execute Contract No. OP128650000 for P2000 and P3010 light rail vehicle pantograph overhaul assembly with Wabtec Passenger Transit.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Bob Spadafora, Senior Executive Officer, Rail Fleet Services
(213) 922-3144
Richard M. Lozano, Component Overhaul Superintendent, Rail Fleet Services (323)-224-4042
Matthew Dake, Deputy Chief Operations Officer (213) 922-4061
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief, Vendor/Contract Management
(213) 418-3051
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by:
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer (213) 418-3034
