MBTA GM Backs New Commuter Rail Contractor

©2013 Boston to a T

The Mass Bay Commuter Rail Company's (MBCR) eleven year reign over the T's commuter rail system may be coming to end.

After delays and months of closed-door deliberations MBTA General Manager, Bev Scott, has decided to recommend that the T drop the MBCR and award a new contract to Keolis Transportation.

The current contract with the MBCR will expire on June 30.

The new contract calls for an eight-year term with the possibility of multiple two-year options after that.

The T's board of directors will have the final say on who the $1 billion contract is awarded to, which could happen when they meet on January 8.

Keolis, a French base transportation company, is just breaking into the United States. They currently only have one contract, which is with the Virginia Rail Express.

Whether the MBCR or Keolis is award the contract there will surly be some changes happening on the rails here in Boston.