by charlesriverbranch
A MA state rep has filed a bill that would separate commuter rail operations fro the MBTA: https://www.masstransitmag.com/manageme ... operations
Oddly, he wants to exempt the Fairmount Line. Would Keolis then have different contracts with separate state agencies? Separate pools of rolling stock? Separate maintenance facilities? If his goal is not to have MBTA answer to the Federal Railroad Administration, then the Fairmount Line needs to go with the rest of the commuter rail system, it seems to me.
I wonder if Representative Straus is even aware that MBTA commuter rail is run by Keolis.
The one advantage of putting commuter rail under separate state agency is that it might then evolve into statewide regional rail system without, say, Springfield, having to join the MBTA. But would stripping the T of responsibility for commuter rail really help address the T's deficiencies?
My trip into town yesterday involved both commuter rail, in recently built (or refurbished) equipment running on well maintained track, arriving more or less on time; and the Red Line, in cars that might have been 50 years old, at times running not much faster than a brisk walk. The contrast was stark.
Oddly, he wants to exempt the Fairmount Line. Would Keolis then have different contracts with separate state agencies? Separate pools of rolling stock? Separate maintenance facilities? If his goal is not to have MBTA answer to the Federal Railroad Administration, then the Fairmount Line needs to go with the rest of the commuter rail system, it seems to me.
I wonder if Representative Straus is even aware that MBTA commuter rail is run by Keolis.
The one advantage of putting commuter rail under separate state agency is that it might then evolve into statewide regional rail system without, say, Springfield, having to join the MBTA. But would stripping the T of responsibility for commuter rail really help address the T's deficiencies?
My trip into town yesterday involved both commuter rail, in recently built (or refurbished) equipment running on well maintained track, arriving more or less on time; and the Red Line, in cars that might have been 50 years old, at times running not much faster than a brisk walk. The contrast was stark.