The MBTA Board voted unanimously Thursday to extend the agency's contract with Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the authority's commuter rail network, for one year to mid-2027. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says negotiations between Keolis and their unions are ongoing.
The MBTA Board voted unanimously Thursday to extend the agency's contract with Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the authority's commuter rail network, for one year to mid-2027.
Michael Muller, executive director of the commuter rail for the MBTA, pitched the board on the contract extension, and said the MBTA has never selected an incumbent company to continue its commuter rail contract. "There have been significant developments in passenger railroad technology and operations worldwide since the current structure was developed, and MBTA is considering whether different contractual structures may better serve the communities of Massachusetts," said T spokesperson Joe Pesaturo, who added,"The plan for the next procurement is to identify a partner who can help deliver on this vision via a new, innovative operating contract structure.
The agency has issued a request for information about new contracts. They've gotten about 20 responses, and the next stage is to make a decision on a new contract model by October. On this timeline, the T will shortlist bidders by the end of 2024 and release a final request for proposals by late fall 2025. They're expecting to pick a new operator by fall of 2026 — which coincides with the next gubernatorial election — and mobilize the transition in the first half of 2027.
"For years, the MBTA has treated the commuter rail as the illegitimate stepchild of the MBTA, only paying child support to whoever runs it, and the provider takes their cut before it comes down to us," said Ed Flaherty, president of Local 2054 Transportation Workers Union, which represents car inspectors and coach cleaners at Keolis, Amtrak and CLX.
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