METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

MBTA invites public to pick exterior designs for new subway cars

Three sets of exterior designs for each rapid transit line are available for viewing and voting on the MBTA website. Votes will be accepted for two weeks, through Tuesday, November 3rd.

October 21, 2015
MBTA invites public to pick exterior designs for new subway cars

MBTA

2 min to read


MBTA

The Massachussetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced Tuesday that it is allowing the public to select the exterior designs for its new Green, Orange and Red Line cars.

“The manufacture and delivery of new rail cars will go a long way to enhancing MBTA service that our customers deserve and expect,” said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. “In recognition of how important our customers are, and the importance of the role the T plays in the region, we are launching this contest to take this process one step further and let our customers have direct input on the final exterior design of the new vehicles.”

MBTA

Three sets of exterior designs for each rapid transit line are available for viewing and voting on the MBTA website https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vehiclesurvey2015. Votes will be accepted for two weeks, through Tuesday, November 3rd.

“We’re moving another step closer to replacing some of the oldest cars on the T’s three busiest rapid transit lines,” said MBTA GM Frank DePaola. “As these new cars are introduced to the Green, Orange, and Red Line fleets, customers will experience improvements in both capacity and reliability.”

Ad Loading...
MBTA

These modern vehicles will provide a comfortable passenger experience, and feature computer-controlled lighting, heating and cooling technologies. They meet the latest Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Passengers will also notice greatly improved signage and displays for better service information and easier travel.

Delivery of the first of 152 new Orange Line cars is set to begin in 2018. The first of 24 new Green Line trolley cars will be delivered in 2017, and the delivery of the first of 132 new Red Line cars is scheduled to start in November 2019.


More Rail

NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →
A BART train on the tracks.
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March

BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).

Read More →
Ribbon cutting photo celebrating SEPTA's new Ardmore Station
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station

The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two Metra locomotives on rail tracks.
Railby StaffApril 10, 2026

Metra Reaches New 10-Year Agreement with BNSF

The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.

Read More →
Ribbon cutting at Siemens' new North Carolina facility.
Railby StaffApril 9, 2026

Siemens Opens North Carolina Railcar Manufacturing Facility

Site construction is complete, production is underway, and the first locally built passenger coaches are on track for delivery in Summer 2026.

Read More →
Two MBTA railcars in station.
Railby StaffApril 9, 2026

MBTA Completes Key Red Line Signal Upgrade Weeks Early

Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Metra train on the rails
Railby StaffApril 8, 2026

Metra Reveals 2026 Construction Program

In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.

Read More →
Governor Moore speaking at Maryland light rail station
Managementby StaffApril 7, 2026

Governor Advances Transit-Oriented Development in Baltimore

The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.

Read More →
A fleet of Caltrain electrified trains on tracks
Railby StaffApril 3, 2026

Funding Gap Could Force Caltrain to Slash Service, Close Stations

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SEPTA's Exo railcars
Railby StaffApril 2, 2026

SEPTA Purchases Montreal Coach Cars to Bolster Regional Rail Fleet

Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.

Read More →