Okay, the coupler statement is just a silly one. There is no requirement that any DMU has to have non-standard couplers. The CRC DMUs on both Tri-Met and in Florida have standard AAR couplers. The Desiro cars used by Sprinter in San Diego have transit style couplers, but those could be specified as AAR style.

I have no particular bias one way or the other. Mike's argument about commonality by piggy-backing onto the Capitol order and being able to borrow trainsets and parts is a good one, but DMUs do have their own advantages as well. The Sprinter seems to operate very well and many other countries successfuly run DMUs. So I hope they evaluate the types on their real merits, not something goofy and artificial like coupler styles.