MBTA Approves $54MM Plan to Introduce BEMUs on Fairmount Commuter Rail Line (UPDATED, 1/24)
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 BEMUs onto the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line—the shortest of the Commuter Rail lines with nine stations.
These types of trains, MBTA says, “will provide faster, quieter, more reliable service with notably less air pollution in the environmental justice corridor served by the Fairmount Line.” With approval from the MBTA Board of Directors, the MBTA and Keolis can now finalize 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.
BEMUs use hybrid power with an onboard battery that charges when overhead catenary wires are available, such as at South Station. The trains can then run on battery power. Because they are electric, these trains, MBTA notes, “emit less air pollution and reduce energy consumption.” BEMUs also provide passengers with smoother rides, more space, and a modernized commuting experience, according to the agency. Additionally, BEMUs operate a quieter service, “significantly reducing noise and vibration for passengers and residents adjacent to the route, yards, and maintenance facility.”
The agreement follows a due diligence posting in March 2024 after the MBTA received Keolis’s proposal. With this agreement in place, Keolis will act as a Project Delivery Partner (PDP) to manage the new decarbonized fleet, additional power and charging infrastructure, and a new light maintenance facility. The PDP approach is split into two phases, beginning first with the preparation phase to design and develop procurement documents and following with the delivery phase to project manage and integrate the BEMU fleet.
“There have been discussions about electrifying our rail network for many years. This agreement is a gamechanger that will benefit generations of passengers, beginning first on the Fairmount Line,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “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. I thank Keolis, the MBTA’s Rail Modernization and Railroad Operations team, and all of our support groups as we focus on delivering improved service that is environmentally friendly for future generations to come.”
Keolis on Jan. 23 released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure new BEMUs. Keolis is seeking to obtain proposals from qualified parties for the design, manufacture, testing, and commissioning of the rolling stock, which the company says, “is required to be highly reliable, modern multiple unity type configuration capable of operating under the overhead catenary system and via the use of on-board traction batteries.” Keolis is seeking to procure seven trains, with the option to add additional trains.
“Keolis is leading the procurement of a certain type of new rolling stock for the MBTA Commuter Rail system. The rolling stock we are seeking will be modern multiple unit type configuration capable of operating under the overhead catenary system and via use of on-board batteries as well,” the company stated in a release.
In parallel with the rolling stock procurement process, Keolis is also seeking information and proposals from financiers for the purchase and lease of the new rolling stock.
