MBTA F40 locomotive idling on Track 1 at Route 128 station, in Westwood, Mass.
—Photo by MBTafan2011
From The New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com)
“In mid-June, New England Council Member Keolis Commuter Services secured a four-year extension of its contract to operate the MBTA’s Commuter Rail service. This contract aims to provide cost certainty and create incentives for improving commuter rail service for the MBTA.
“As the MBTA’s Commuter Rail operating partner, Keolis has provided all mechanical, transportation, and engineering services since 2014. Keolis has since added 10,000 more trains per year, piloted a new weekend train service, and implemented various customer improvements. Keolis has also updated and expanded safety protocols, as well as provided more resources for the MBTA Safety Department. Under the new four-year extension, Keolis seeks to invest in the MBTA’s infrastructure, address fare-evasion and non-collection issues, and provide incentives for immediate improvements in Commuter Rail service through performance payments.
“Keolis CEO and General Manager David Scorey said, “This extension balances taxpayer and passenger needs as it keeps costs low while also enhancing the passenger experience, including a focus on providing more capacity, further increasing on-time performance and accelerating capital delivery. On behalf of our Keolis Boston team, we look forward to continuing our collaborative work with the MBTA and building upon the successful initiatives we’ve delivered together for the Commonwealth and our Commuter Rail passengers.”
Read more in the MBTA’s press release or in The Boston Globe.
