MBCR A/C sets efficiency record
MBCR, which operates a fleet of coaches that average more than 24 years in age, with some cars that are nearly 40 years old, reported an average of less than one air conditioning malfunction per day from June 1 until September 15th for the 356 passenger coaches used in daily service.
The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Co. (MBCR) announced record performance for air conditioning on the commuter rail fleet.
Amid a very hot summer (the third warmest summer ever recorded as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), MBCR’s mechanical department recorded a nearly perfect cooling record – 99.81% performance — an increase up from 99.74% in 2011.
“MBCR’s mechanical department put in the hard work that translated into excellent results for customers by preparing the fleet’s air conditioning units long before thermometers began to rise,” said Hugh J. Kiley Jr., MBCR GM. “It takes a lot of effort to cool an older fleet of vehicles during hot summer months, and the team approach is of great benefit to our customers.”
MBCR, which operates a fleet of coaches that average more than 24 years in age, with some cars that are nearly 40 years old, reported an average of less than one air conditioning malfunction per day from June 1 until September 15th for the 356 passenger coaches used in daily service.
More Rail
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →
Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Launches New Sounder Railcars into Service
Alstom manufactured all the cars under a $46.5 million contract and came into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.
Read More →
Alstom Partners With Universities to Build Rail Talent Pipeline
The partnerships include a new engineering scholarship fund at Alfred State College in Western New York and collaborations with transportation centers at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Seattle’s Sound Transit Adopts Updated ST3 System Plan
The updated system plan incorporates cost savings across the agency, including new revenue sources and financial policies, to set the agency on a sustainable path for the future.
Read More →
Inside Look: EMBARK Expands Fare-Free Transit Program Through New Public-Private Partnership
The OKC transit agency says sponsorship helps subsidize the Third Friday Free initiative while reducing barriers for first-time riders and boosting ridership across buses, streetcars, and river cruises.
Read More →