Schindler to supply key New York rail project

Schindler has been awarded a contract with an initial value of $24 million with options for up to a total value of $70 million to supply elevators and escalators for a new rail connection to Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal (GCT).

The East Side Access project, scheduled for completion in 2016, will establish a direct rail link from New York City’s Long Island to the east side of Manhattan, shortening the journey for thousands of commuters. The contract for Schindler includes options for the installation and maintenance of 22 elevators and 47 escalators, 17 of which are 91.5 feet (27 meters) long and six stories high.

New underground station for Grand Central

The new rail connection is an extension of the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), which currently has only one line into Manhattan (to Pennsylvania Station). The project is managed by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and includes a new underground terminal for GCT. The contract was awarded to Schindler by the MTA’s Capital Construction Company.

First delivery in 2011

The first delivery of Schindler installations is expected towards the end of 2011. All elevators and escalators will be supplied by Schindler’s operations in the United States.

Schindler’s escalators are among the most energy efficient available, utilizing standard high-efficiency motors and regenerative drives, which can return energy back into a building’s electrical system. Additionally, optional intermittent operation features can save over half of the total energy usage of the machine by operating at crawl speed when there is no passenger on the escalator.

Schindler is currently supplying several major public-transport projects globally, including a nationwide expansion of China’s rail network, new metro lines for Mumbai, India, and Istanbul, Turkey, as well as new terminals for Los Angeles and Berlin international airports.