The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority recently announced that it is developing an updated regional rail strategy, known as the Rail Modernization Plan, to transform its rail system.

Identifying near-term investments and long-term needs, the Rail Modernization Plan will consider how the MBTA can enhance frequency, reliability, and accessibility across the communities served by rail while advancing decarbonization strategies.

“I know how important it is that we create a robust and complete transportation network across the commonwealth that facilitates access to jobs, homes, economic opportunities, and more,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Working with the highway system, municipal roadways, and regional transit authorities, rail modernization, bidirectional travel, shorter trips, and tackling congestion through mode shift, is a key piece in making all movement both viable and appealing.”

Supporting many of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s objectives for regional mobility and connectivity, enhancements to the rail network will ultimately “increase service to the public while supporting the commonwealth in achieving its broader housing, climate, mobility, and economic development goals.”

Investments to Expand Regional Rail Access, Reliability, and Electrification

According to an agency release, almost three-quarters of Massachusetts residents live within the MBTA service area, and more frequent, reliable regional rail service will have major benefits for residents and businesses in Massachusetts and surrounding states.

Approximately 64% of commonwealth residents and 39% of Rhode Island residents live within three miles of an MBTA station. The agency predicts a more robust network will enhance the commonwealth’s goals for commercially viable developments near transit stations, spurring future housing production.  

The MBTA will need to make investments in the coming years to:

• Improve frequency by eliminating legacy bottlenecks in MBTA's single-track, at-grade system.
• Increase reliability by investing in new locomotives for passenger service while modernizing layover and maintenance facilities for current and future fleets.
• Enhance accessibility by introducing level-boarding at inaccessible stations throughout the system.
• Pursue decarbonization by developing an electrification plan and through the installation of discontinuous overhead catenary wire, charging, and transmission infrastructure.  

The MBTA is inviting the public to engage with the T during this planning process to help determine the vision for future service and prioritize investments as funding becomes available.

The agency will launch a series of public meetings, tabling events, targeted stakeholder conversations, and virtual engagement strategies. More information can be found at MBTA.com/RailModernization.