Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Plans forBattery Electric Trains on Fairmount Commuter Rail Line
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$54 million agreement to advance acquisition of batteryelectric trains; Fairmount will be first Commuter Rail line in Massachusetts toprovide 100 percent electric train service
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BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey, LieutenantGovernor Kim Driscoll, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MBTAGeneral Manager Phillip Eng, City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Keolis VicePresident of Asset Management John Killeenjoined community leaders andstakeholders at Morton Street station in Mattapan to celebrate the $54 millionplan to bring battery-electric train service to the Fairmount Commuter RailLine, which will ultimately result in more frequent service and lower emissionsin surrounding communities.
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In July 2024, the MBTA Board of Directors approved ofKeolis’s innovative plan to introduce battery-electric multiple unit trains(BEMUs) onto the Fairmount Line.
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“Today we are one step closer to meeting our goal ofoperating a fully electric commuter rail system in our state, which is criticalfor our climate, for our residents, and for our future,” said GovernorHealey. “The Fairmount Line – from South Station to Dorchester to Mattapanto Hyde Park – will be the first Commuter Rail line in Massachusetts to provide100 percent electric train service. We know how big of a win this is forlocal residents and stakeholders who have been advocating for this for years,and we are grateful to be able to invest in and build momentum around achievingsafe, reliable, sustainable transportation for all of our residents.”
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“This is a historic achievement for transit users who willget faster travel times, more frequent and reliable trains, and better accessto the jobs, medical facilities, and opportunities in downtown Boston,"said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “As an administration, we share avision of clean, safe, equitable transportation for all, and we are now makingthat a reality and putting our environmental justice communities first.”
These types of trains will provide faster, quieter, morereliable service with notably less air pollution in the environmental justicecorridor served by the Fairmount Line. With approval from the MBTA Board ofDirectors, the MBTA and Keolis can now finalize the details of the contract,including a timeline for service to begin. It is anticipated that trains wouldrun every 20 minutes on weekdays. Subject to the procurement process, the firsttrain is expected to enter service on the Fairmount Line in early2028.
“Today is the dawning of a new age for the MBTA, a milestonemoment as the T prepares to begin operating the first of what will be dozens ofnew battery-electric locomotives,” said Transportation Secretary MonicaTibbits-Nutt. “The neighborhoods along the Fairmount Line corridor arebeing prioritized for these clean energy trains and better health andwell-being will be the result for the people who live in these EnvironmentalJustice Communities.”
“This is an exciting moment for the Fairmount Line and thecommunities that we serve as we utilize new battery electric technology tobring about transformational upgrades that will have long lasting benefit forgenerations to come,” said General Manager Phillip Eng. “Understandingthat billions of dollars are needed to fully electrify our entire system, weare proud to find a way to bring electrification to this corridor sooner withinavailable fund sources. This work will help inform us as we strive to improveand decarbonize our service on all of our regional rail network. I thank theHealey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership and Secretary Tibbits-Nuttfor her contributions as we make progress toward our climate goals. The MBTA’sRail Modernization and Railroad Operations team in partnership with Keolis arecommitted to fulfilling the goals of the many stakeholders and communitymembers who have advocated for these improvements for decades. We are committedto delivering safe, reliable, and robust rail service that the public can relyon.”
“Electrification is the future for more reliable MBTAservice and healthier communities, and after years of advocacy, I’m excited tosee this happening on the Fairmount Line,” said City of Boston MayorMichelle Wu. “This investment in more frequent Commuter Rail service withlower emissions is a win-win for the local Boston community, and we’re ready asa city to work with the MBTA and the Commonwealth on this innovation.”
BEMU trains use hybrid power with an onboard battery thatcharges when overhead catenary wires are available, such as at South Station.The trains can then run on battery power. Because they are electric, thesetrains emit less air pollution and reduce energy consumption. BEMU trains alsoprovide passengers with smoother rides, more space, and a modernized commutingexperience. Additionally, BEMUs operate a quieter service, significantlyreducing noise and vibration for passengers and residents adjacent to theroute, yards, and maintenance facility.
“We are thrilled that the MBTA and the Healey Administrationhave placed their trust in Keolis to oversee this historic project to electrifythe Fairmount Line,” said General Manager and CEO of Keolis CommuterServices Abdellah Chajai. “The community has been essential in getting thisproject started, and we’re looking forward to bringing decarbonized services toDorchester.”
With the agreement in place, Keolis will act as a ProjectDelivery Partner (PDP) to manage the new decarbonized fleet, additional powerand charging infrastructure, and a new light maintenance facility. The PDPapproach is split into two phases, beginning first with the preparation phaseto design and develop procurement documents and following with the deliveryphase to project manage and integrate the BEMU fleet.
The Fairmount Commuter Rail Line is the shortest of theCommuter Rail Lines, with nine stations (including South Station andReadville). As of April 2024, the line carries approximately 3,200 passengersper day. Battery-electric service will save 1.6 million gallons of fuel andmitigate 17,700 tons of carbon dioxide per year compared to diesel.
