The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has received approval for 850 million USD in funding from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF) through an Interdepartmental Service Agreement (ISA) with MassDOT. Part of this allocation will support the procurement of new commuter rail locomotives, helping to replace ageing equipment and improve service reliability across the network. The funding, approved by the MBTA Board of Directors following MassDOT Board approval last week, was proposed by Governor Maura Healey and endorsed by the Massachusetts Legislature. It forms part of a broader investment in safety, reliability, accessibility, and resilience for the MBTA system. MBTA Commuter Rail locomotive © MassDot A portion of the funding is earmarked for replacing the MBTA’s oldest locomotives, a critical step in maintaining reliable commuter rail service. By modernising the fleet, the MBTA aims to reduce service disruptions caused by equipment failures and improve operational efficiency. Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said: This vote by the MBTA Board and recent vote by the MassDOT Board marks another critical step forward in delivering safe, reliable, and improved public transportation for the riders, communities, and businesses that we serve. This $850 million agreement, made possible by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Fair Share revenue, will provide the critical support and infrastructure needed towards delivering vital projects to better serve the public. We are committed to ensuring we deliver meaningful projects on time and on budget, ensuring safety, improving accessibility and reliability, and delivering a mass transit system for generations to come. The locomotive procurement is part of the MBTA’s broader Rail Reliability Program (RRP), which focuses on long-term infrastructure and fleet improvements. The 850 million USD allocation also supports other projects, including: Green Line Infrastructure Upgrades: Modernisation of signals, track reconfiguration, and facility improvements to support new Type 10 vehicles and increase service frequency Widett Regional Rail Layover Facility – Phase 1: Site preparation for a six-track electrified layover facility to support Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) and the future Fairmount Line electrification Arborway Battery Electric Bus Facility: A permanent site capable of storing and maintaining around 200 battery electric buses The MBTA plans to use the funding to continue its broader programme of system upgrades, focusing on safety, reliability, accessibility, and long-term resilience. This investment represents a key step in modernising Massachusetts’ commuter rail network and enhancing service for thousands of daily riders.
