The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) approved a USD 54 million plan to bring battery-electric train service on the Boston Fairmount rail line, which will ultimately result in more frequent service and lower emissions in surrounding communities.
With approval from the MBTA Board of Directors, the MBTA and Keolis can now finalise the details of the contract, including a timeline for service to begin. It is anticipated that trains would run every 20 minutes on weekdays. Subject to the procurement process, the first train is expected to enter service on the Fairmount Line in early 2028.
This agreement follows a due diligence posting in March 2024 after the MBTA received Keolis’ proposal. With this agreement in place, Keolis will act as a Project Delivery Partner to manage the new decarbonised fleet, additional power and charging infrastructure, and a new light maintenance facility. Keolis will be responsible for the preparation phase to design and develop procurement documents and with the delivery phase covers project management and integration the BEMU fleet.
“By embracing new technologies, we will be able to electrify the Fairmount Line sooner within our existing available funding. Understanding the billions of dollars needed to fully electrify our entire system, this is the first step that I believe will pave the way to a profound transformation that can bring the future of our rail network that much closer,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said.
Keolis Commuter Services, the operating partner for the MBTA Commuter Rail, submitted an innovation proposal to the MBTA in December 2023 with a plan to introduce battery electric multiple unit trains (BEMUs) onto the Boston Fairmount rail line.
“This plan is a major win for Fairmount Line riders and our entire state. By electrifying the Fairmount Line, we’ll deliver more frequent, reliable service while also moving Massachusetts forward on our climate goals,” Governor Maura Healey said.
These types of trains will provide faster, quieter, more reliable service with notably less air pollution in the environmental justice corridor served by the Fairmount Line.
The Fairmount railway line is the shortest of the commuter system with 9 stations, including South Station and Readville. As of April 2024, the line carries approximately 3,200 passengers per day. Battery-electric service will save 1.6 million gallons of fuel and mitigate 17,700 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to diesel.
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