USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has begun the process of appointing the next operator of its Boston commuter rail services.
The trains are currently operated by Keolis Commuter Services under a contract running to June 30 2027.
The contract will include operation of the passenger services, and fleet and infrastructure maintenance. MBTA said its network of 12 lines totalling 1 125 track-km and 148 stations is the fifth-busiest such system in the country, after routes in the New York and Chicago areas. Around 500 revenue trains carry 90 000 passenger-journeys each weekday, with around 250 revenue trips on both Saturdays and Sundays. The fleet comprises 102 diesel locomotives and 442 coaches, with new vehicles on order and existing equipment being overhauled.
The current operator is in the process of procuring seven leased battery-electric multiple-units for use on the 15 km Fairmount Line. The next operator will support the acquisition and operation of the BEMUs, and at the request of MBTA would procure additional rolling stock.
The request for qualifications issued by MBTA on July 18 is to be followed with a request for proposals in Q4 2025, with the contract expected to be awarded in December 2026. The contract would run for nine years from July 1 2027, with MBTA entitled to extend the initial term by two years. MBTA will pay the operator a monthly passenger services payment plus a monthly maintenance payment.
