Keolis was first awarded the eight-year, $2.7 billion to operate MBTA’s commuter rail operations in 2014.
NBC Boston reports that although there is an option to extend the contract for two years, MBTA will not do so and plans on having a new deal signed before the current contract ends. Keolis however will have a chance to bid for the new contract when it’s up.
“MassDOT will continue working closely with Keolis to provide excellent service to our customers for the duration of the contract,” Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said in a statement to NBC Boston. “In keeping with good business practices, the MBTA is committed to evaluate the contract structure and initiate a re-procurement before the current contract expires. The decision not to extend the current eight-year contract is not a reflection of Keolis’ performance; indeed, I fully expect that Keolis would compete as part of the re-procurement.”
Keolis tells NBC Boston that it remains committed to serving Boston.
I don’t know how much Keolis is responsible for improvements in service on the Fitchburg line, but I’m pleased with what I see. Until recently I didn’t even consider taking the train to Boston because few trains went to the end of the line and the schedule was not convenient. Now there are 17 trains a day and the end of the line has been extended to Wachusett, shaving at least 10 minutes from my drive from home to the train. The trains are clean and comfortable and a pleasure to ride.
Announcing you won’t renew a contract 5 years before it is up seems premature.
See what happens when guvmnt hires a “for profit” company to run a ‘service” ? Do it inhouse, yes it might cost more in healthcare, benfits or whatever but…………….. Oh well.
The title of the post is incorrect. The MBTA has said they will not exercise the contract option for an additional two years.
Kelolis had the misfortune in assuming operations in the winter of 2015, with the heaviest snowfalls in decades. They had to operate crappy 40+ year old equipment whilst awaiting the delivery of new locomotives and the repair of the new Hyndai Rotem coaches. All things considered, I got to work most days.