The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will electrify the 9 mile Fairmount Line, the shortest of their 12 commuter rail lines, using battery-electric multiple units. The first BEMU trains are projected to be operating in early 2028.
AASHTO Journal reported on Sept. 13 that the “Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – a division of Massachusetts Department of Transportation – recently signed off on a $54 million plan to introduce battery-electric multiple unit or BEMU trains to the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line. The first of those BEMU trains are scheduled to go into operation in early 2028.”
Keolis Commuter Services, the company that operates MBTA commuter rail lines, will begin the design and procurement process with the goal of delivering enough BEMU trains to operate 20-minute train service along the line.
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According to Wikipedia, the 9-station Fairmont line runs mainly “within Boston, running southwest from South Station through the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park,” and “a short portion in Milton.”
“BEMU trains are powered by on-board batteries that are recharged by overhead catenary wires. Instead of locomotives pulling passenger cars, the batteries and motors will be integrated into four-car fixed sets,” adds AASHTO Journal.
An MBTA press release dated July 25 on the MBTA board's approval of the project indicates that catenary exists at South Station where the BEMUs would be recharged. Streetsblog Mass reported rather critically on the project in March, noting the agency's overall approach to electrification.
In fact, in spite of their electrification goals, the T has been ripping out miles of catenary wire that once powered fully-electric bus routes in Cambridge and Watertown.
It appears from the press release that Keolis will select the railcars.
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.
Inquiries were made with both MBTA and Keolis – look for additional information in the comment section below this post if they respond after publication.
The MBTA commuter rail network is the nation's fifth busiest after New York's LIRR and Metro North lines, NJ Transit and Chicago's Metra.
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