USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has shortlisted three teams to bid for the next contract to operate Boston commuter train services and support its ambition to transform the legacy system to provide ‘modernised, high-frequency’ services for the region.
The three selected groups are:
- Keolis-Alstom JV;
- Mass Regional Rail, a consortium of Alternate Concepts, TransitAmerica Services and RATP Développement;
- a consortium of Transdev North America and Transport UK Holdings.
The 12-line network totalling 1 125 track-km and 148 stations is the fifth-busiest of its type in the USA, after routes in the New York, New Jersey and Chicago areas. There are around 500 revenue trains carrying 90 000 passenger-journeys each weekday and 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.
Bold approach
MBTA said the next operator would be expected to build on the ‘new and bold approach’ its has taken since the Covid-19 pandemic. This has seen timetables recast to provide a consistent all-day service and ridership recovery ‘unmatched by most commuter rail systems across the country’.
The contract will include the operation of passenger services as well as fleet and infrastructure maintenance and support for the acquisition of seven battery-electric multiple-units for the 15 km Fairmount Line.
MBTA will pay the operator a monthly passenger services payment plus a monthly maintenance payment. Revised indicators will incentivise performance, customer service, fare collection and capital investment while driving continuous improvement.
Timescale
MBTA issued an initial request for proposals to the three shortlisted teams in December, and is now engaging with each entity as part of a competitive dialogue process. This is scheduled to take nine months, with final proposals to be submitted in autumn 2026.
The agency aims to select the preferred bidder by the end of 2026, to allow time for mobilisation before the operator takes over responsibility for the service after the current contract with Keolis Commuter Services expires on June 30 2027. The contract would run for nine years, with MBTA able to extend the term by two years.
