Transit in 2024: MBTA makes major strides toward turnaround

Top stories also include alternative-power equipment, New York’s congestion pricing

Worker welding in subway tunnel — The MBTA spent 2024 addressing a massive maintenance-of-way backlog. MBTA

Little more than a year ago, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority was battered by problems and criticism.

Its rail system was riddled with slow orders. Delivery of new rolling stock from China’s CRRC was far behind schedule. And it was still trying to correct issues addressed in directives from the Federal Transit Authority in 2022.

As 2024 ends, the image of the MBTA has changed. Work in progress on the Green Line is expected to eliminate the last two slow orders on the rail transit network, which started the year with 143 speed restrictions, covering 22.1 miles, or 16.2% of the system. Deliveries of Red and Orange Line cars are now meeting a schedule set in a March agreement with CRRC — a somewhat controversial deal, because it required the agency to pay an additional $148 million to get the long-delayed equipment. And the MBTA website indicates the agency is now two-thirds of the way to meeting the FTA requirements.

While issues remain — as witnessed by the October derailment of a Green Train that was going 36 mph in a 10-mph zone and ran a red signal — the MBTA’s strides in addressing its problems are one of the notable transit stories of the year.

Other top stories include moves by Metra, the MBTA, and in Southern California to bring battery-electric and hydrogen powered trains into operation, and New York City’s on-again, off-again plan for congestion pricing, which has a major impact on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

MBTA improvement

The MBTA announced a plan to eliminate all slow orders in November 2023. Not quite a year later, it had cleared such restrictions from three of four routes; the last should be complete this month.

“This is truly an all-hands-on-deck, cross-functional effort that exemplifies teamwork and determination,” CEO Phillip Eng said. “Moving beyond this, we are committed to addressing future needs timely and not allowing such conditions to build up, impacting all that depended on us.”

The improvements did not come without some pain for riders. Extended closures on sections of the transit system have been a monthly feature of the Track Improvement Program, disrupting commutes. But those full closures allowed the work to be completed far more quickly that would have been the case with the usual overnight work windows.

The issues with the CRRC equipment forced the agency to continue using rolling stock that was to have been retired by now; that, and quality control issues with the new equipment, led to significant reliability issues. But Eng told the MBTA board in November that the new equipment is now exceeding operating requirements: “The cars continue to perform above the contractual requirement of 90,000 miles between failures, and in fact, they are now exceeding 200,000 miles between failures.”

Inroads for alternative power

Blue and white two-unit trainset — A preliminary rendering of a battery-electric trainset to be built for Metra by Stadler US. Stadler Rail

Metra and the MBTA both committed to introducing battery-electric commuter trainsets, while the first hydrogen fuel-cell passenger train moved closer to its introduction in California.

After Metra’s abortive effort to convert some of its oldest F40s to battery power — the agency and Progress Rail were unable to reach a contract agreement — the Chicago commuter operator signed a deal in February with Stadler US for eight two-car, battery-electric trainsets, with an option for eight more. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027-28, with the equipment ticketed for initial use on the Rock Island District’s 16.8-mile, 15-station Beverly Branch service between La Salle Street station and Blue Island, Ill.

MBTA approved its own battery-electric plan in July, agreeing to a plan by contract operator Keolis Commuter Services to use such equipment on the Fairmount Line — like Metra’s Beverly Branch, a relatively short (9.2 miles, nine stations) route well suited to a pilot program. The agreement places Keolis in charge of developing specifications and choosing a manufacturer for the equipment; it will then lease and manage the fleet, as well as related infrastructure. That equipment could debut in 2028.

Meanwhile, after extensive testing in Europe and Colorado that included a record-setting run of more than 1,700 miles without refueling, the Stadler hydrogen fuel-cell trainset built for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority moved closer to its debut in the Arrow service between San Bernardino and Redlands, Calif. The first-of-its-kind hydrogen version of a FLIRT trainset began testing on the Arrow route in November; it is expected to enter revenue service early in 2025.

Congestion pricing

The MTA’s congestion toll plan — meant to raise some $15 billion for MTA capital projects and decrease traffic in lower Manhattan — was weeks from implementation when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul halted it in June to delay it, citing the “burden to working- and middle-class New Yorkers.” The loss of expected funding led to the MTA to place some $16.5 billion in projects on hold, with CEO Janno Lieber saying the agency would focus on “basic stuff to make sure the system doesn’t fall apart.”

But shortly after November’s election, Hochul announced a revised plan with lower tolls — $9 for most drivers, instead of the original $15. That will decrease the funds generated for the MTA — $500 million the first year, instead of $1 billion — but officials insist the agency will still be able to proceed with its capital plans. They will just take longer to repay.

The MTA board approved the new plan, and the Federal Highway Administration quickly did the same, allowing tolling to begin Jan. 5. Quick federal approval was considered crucial, because President-elect Donald Trump has indicated his opposition to congestion pricing, saying in a social media post in May that he would kill it during his first week in office. But officials believe it will be more difficult to halt the plan once it is in place. If it happens, it will make New York the first U.S. city to adopt a program, that in various forms, exists in London, Milan, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and other major cities worldwide. But hurdles still remain, including at least nine lawsuits seeking to block the plan, making this a story that will certainly continue into 2025.

Previous News Wire coverage:

MBTA progress

MBTA to pay more to get long-delayed CRRC railcars, March 29, 2024

MBTA Green Line train ran red signal, was speeding prior to derailment, NTSB says, Oct. 16, 2024

MBTA work removes five Red Line speed restrictions, Nov. 13, 2024

MBTA says new Orange, Red Line cars are now exceeding requirements, Nov. 24, 2024.

MBTA removes last slow orders on Red Line, Nov. 26, 2024.

Alternative power

Metra signs deal with Stadler US for battery-electric trainsets, Feb. 21, 2024.

MBTA approves plan for battery-electric commuter service on Fairmount Line, July 25, 2024.

Stadler hydrogen trainset sets distance record, March 25, 2024.

First U.S. hydrogen-powered trainset enters Phase II of testing in California, Nov. 10, 2024.