BOSTON — Massachusetts’ inspector general has called for the MBTA to improve fare collection on its commuter trains, saying it does not happen “dependably or consistently,” while the state’s auditor has issued a report critical of the transit agency’s administration of its contract with commuter operator Keolis. The scrutiny comes as the MBTA approaches the […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has released the initial schedule for the South Coast Rail service to New Bedford and Fall River, Mass., set to begin on March 24. The debut of the new operation will feature free weekend travel and free parking through the end of April, the MBTA announced last week. […]
The latest in the occasional series of articles recommended by Trains News Wire opens with a recent story from the Baltimore Banner looking at the B&P Tunnel, Amtrak’s efforts to maintain the 152-year-old bore, the plans to replace it, and the threats to the tunnel project. Also recommended: A Governing magazine opinion piece looks at […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced plans for a special rail schedule as part of the Massachusetts 250 celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. The celebration is set for Patriots Day weekend, April 19-20. “The Commonwealth has a rich history, and ‘Massachusetts 250’ is just one […]
Green Line train crashed last night. Driver crashed into a stationary train at speed; most were bruised but able to walk out. The rear operator of the train got pretty hurt. She split her forehead and was bleeding and was taken by the EMT. (East Somerville stop.) #MBTA #Boston pic.twitter.com/s4cCGsyTas — Alan Hume (@alanocu) February […]
BOSTON — No one was injured but commuter rail and Amtrak operations were disrupted after a low-speed derailment of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train arriving at Boston’s South Station today (Saturday, Feb. 8). The derailment involved train No. 1806, an 11:45 a.m. departure from Providence, R.I., that was due at South Station at […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will launch South Coast Rail operations — serving a group of southeastern Massachusetts communities that have been without passenger rail for 65 years — on March 24, 2025, the agency announced today. The start date — two months ahead of the most recent timeline, which called for service […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has completed implementation of Automatic Train Control on its commuter rail lines, the agency has announced. The ATC project involves a federally mandated signal upgrade required as part of positive train control. “Our state transportation system must be safe for all users, and completing MBTA Automatic Train Control […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will increase top operating speeds on the rapid transit Red Line’s Braintree Branch from 40 mph to 50 mph as a result of last year’s Track Improvement Program, the agency has announced. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team,” MBTA CEO Phillip […]
BOSTON — A former official for Keolis Commuter Services, operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains, has pleaded guilty to defrauding Keolis of $8 million. John P. Pigsley, 59, the former assistant chief engineer of facilities at Keolis, also pleaded guilty of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service. He will be sentenced in April. Pigsley […]
BOSTON — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services, contract operator of the Masschusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail network, for a five-year contract retroactive to July 1, 2023. If ratified, the agreement would provide for five years of 5% wage increases, plus an additional $2 […]
WORCESTER, Mass. — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has proposed a 10-year, $8 billion transportation plan including an immediate move to stabilize the finances of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority — using funds from the state’s Fair Share tax on annual incomes over $1 million while requiring no new taxes. Legislation to enact the plan, part […]
