The MBTA added $50 million in funding for commuter rail hybrid electrification after local and state officials from area communities formed a coalition to include train electrification in their Capital Investment Plan.
When the MBTA released the first draft of its investment plan in April it did not include any funding for electrification of the commuter rail. It was then that local, state, and federal officials representing communities on the Newburyport-Rockport line swung into action and insisted that the plan include such investments.
A coalition of 24 federal, state, and local officials, who represent the communities served by the Newburyport-Rockport line, signed a letter urging the MBTA to prioritize electrification of the commuter rail in its upcoming five-year CIP. The coalition consists of representatives from Beverly, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Nahant, Peabody, Revere, Salem, and Swampscott.
Officials urged constituents to follow suit by submitting feedback during the MBTA’s public comment period to advocate for an electrification investment in the final version of the plan. Groups and individuals around the region offered their comments through online submission forms, emails, letters, and public meetings.
In collaboration with Mayor Jared C. Nicholson, the Lynn City Council provided further support by adopting a resolution urging the MBTA to include electrification investments in the CIP.
On April 18, Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents a number of the communities along the rail line, said that he thought the electrification plan would address a new, transformational approach that centers transportation through a lens of environmental health and justice, equity, and economic opportunity.
“The environment is a big part of this, but it is also making it a service that all residents have access to and that really serves their needs,” Crighton said. “When we say electrification, we mean more frequent service, we mean at a lower cost, and we mean more reliable.”
Nicholson said in a report that although the amount is far less than what was requested and will eventually be needed to modernize the fleet, the MBTA ultimately decided to include $50 million in the final version of the plan. This money will be used to support the procurement of 25 electrified or multi-mode commuter rail rolling stock to replace the oldest vehicles in the fleet, which are diesel-powered.
“The significance of electrification is that by adding this funding the MBTA is acknowledging that there needs to be a new and markedly different approach to public reliable transportation,” Nicholson said. “Not only do commuters and residents need it to be more accessible, reliable, and efficient, but also cleaner and greener. Starting the transition away from diesel-powered vehicles is critical. This is also a step towards the kind of affordable rapid-transit our region needs.”
Crighton said in a press release that the MBTA’s decision to include electrification funding was a “step in the right direction” and that the region’s work toward more affordable and environmentally friendly public transportation is not done.
“Thank you to everyone who helped advocate for this funding. There is still lots of work to be done, but this money is certainly a step in the right direction in electrifying the commuter rail,” said Crighton. “We will continue our efforts in pushing for a system that is significantly more affordable, reliable, and helps us reach our environmental goals.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected].