Miami-Dade Transit and Hitachi are to begin testing the first new two-car Metrorail train.
Hitachi Rail USA, a subsidiary of Hitachi Rail Italy, is assembling 136 stainless steel metro cars at its new facility in Medley, Miami.
The first two of those 45.8 m long cars have now been completed and are set to begin factory testing.
A ceremony attended by Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the Japanese Consul General Ken Okaniwa was held in Medley on October 24 to unveil the first finished train.
Testing is expected to last eight to nine months. The entire fleet will be in service by the end of 2019.
Maurizio Manfellotto, chef executive of Hitachi Rail Italy, said: “Fully respecting the contractual deadline, we have delivered a product which we particularly care for, and not only for commercial reasons.
“The award of this contract marked the return of Hitachi Rail Italy to the United States after about 10 years of absence from the heavy rail market. Therefore it is highly symbolic and encouraging for all of us.”
