AnsaldoBreda P2550
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Pistoia , Italy |
| Products | Light rail vehicles |
AnsaldoBreda P2550
The AnsaldoBreda P2550 represents an articulated, high-floor electric light rail vehicle developed by AnsaldoBreda specifically for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Metro Rail network. Production spanned from 2005 through 2011, culminating in a total of 50 units, with the inaugural train commencing operations in 2008.
Background
In 2001, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) initiated a bidding process to acquire new light rail vehicles for the Gold Line. Four manufacturers—Bombardier, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens, and AnsaldoBreda—submitted proposals. Siemens did not fulfill the specified criteria, while Bombardier chose not to participate due to contract stipulations.
Among the bids, AnsaldoBreda offered a more competitive price compared to Kinki Sharyo, prompting LACMTA to award a $158 million contract on April 24, 2003, for 50 vehicles with an option for an additional 100 units. The delivery deadline for all cars was set for 2007.
Construction
The vehicle shells were produced in Pistoia, Italy, with final assembly conducted in Pittsburg, California. The initial batch arrived in 2005 and underwent preliminary testing on the Blue Line before being exclusively assigned to the Gold Line. Official service launch occurred in May 2008, considerably later than planned.
By 2009, deliveries lagged approximately three years behind schedule, and Metro reported that the trains exceeded weight specifications. AnsaldoBreda proposed supplying an extra 50 vehicles for $300 million along with two additional units as compensation for the delays.
Ultimately, Metro declined to exercise options for further P2550 units and instead placed an order for 235 Kinki-Sharyo P3010 vehicles in 2012. As a result of these procurement issues, LACMTA enhanced its quality assurance protocols and adopted best value procurement strategies for subsequent rolling stock acquisitions.
Service history
In 2023, Kinki Sharyo commenced refurbishment of the existing fleet at their Palmdale, California facility, beginning with Car 721. The modernization effort includes improvements to doors, safety apparatus, trucks, and HVAC systems.
Starting in Spring 2023, following completion of the Regional Connector project, the P2550 vehicles have been operating on the original A Line route (Los Angeles—Long Beach), extending beyond the previous L Line alignment.