Rail Vision
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MBTA Board Greenlights Quarter-Billion Dollar Contract for Diesel Trains
William Wolfgang, the T's director of vehicle engineering, says that new battery-powered engine technology isn't sufficiently developed to be able to replace the T's aging fleet of diesel locomotives.
January 14, 2026
MBTA, Amtrak Warn That MassDOT’s Allston Highway Megaproject Could Inflict ‘Significant’ Impacts On Regional Rail
MBTA officials warn that commuter rail service "would cease within weeks" if MassDOT follows through on plans to demolish a critical rail bridge for the Allston Multimodal Project in Boston.
October 10, 2024
The T’s New 5-Year Capital Budget Puts Climate Progress In A Slow Zone
The T's latest Capital Investment Plan continues to postpone the transformational projects that will be necessary to electrify transit vehicles and lure more riders out of their cars.
May 4, 2023
MBTA Is On A Shopping Spree for Commuter Train Parking
On Thursday, the MBTA Board of Directors gave the green light for the T to spend a quarter-billion dollars to acquire Widett Circle, a 24-acre former food distribution center between Interstate 93 and the T's Cabot Yards, to store commuter rail trains near South Station.
December 16, 2022
Could the New Governor Breathe New Life Into the T’s Regional Rail Plans?
Maura Healey wants to get rid of the commuter rail as we know it.
November 29, 2022
T Considers Battery-Equipped Trains to Accelerate Rail Electrification Plans
Using batteries aboard trains could help the T avoid costly construction of overhead wires in places where they may be difficult to install and maintain, such as near bridges and tunnels.
July 12, 2022
Could An Infrastructure Stimulus Fund High-Speed Rail for New England?
The North Atlantic Rail initiative is seeking a $105 billion investment for "a rail-enabled economic transformation strategy."
March 3, 2021
Mass. Senate Passes Transportation Debt Bill, Punts on How to Pay for It
Advocates call the Senate's bill 'disappointing' and 'a missed opportunity' to enact bold new policies that could manage congestion and reduce pollution.
July 16, 2020
MBTA Board Endorses Ambitious Slate of Upgrades For Commuter Rail System
The MBTA Fiscal and Control Management Board has endorsed an aspirational vision to electrify the MBTA commuter rail network to provide all-day, rapid-transit-style service throughout eastern Massachusetts, with an initial phase focused on upgrading Boston's Fairmount Line, the Boston-Providence line, and the Rockport line through Chelsea, Revere and Lynn.
November 4, 2019
TransitMatters Report Asks State to Cancel South Station Expansion
TransitMatters argues that South Station is big enough to accommodate a dramatic increase in commuter rail service – but only if the MBTA makes organizational changes to move trains more quickly in and out of the station.
September 12, 2019
