MBTA, Keolis Announce Plan to Improve Commuter Rail Service

By Frank O’Laughlin (Patch staff)

Photo Credit: MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Keolis Commuter Services announced Monday a five-month plan to improve service for tens of thousands of commuters across the Bay State.

According to a statement released by the MBTA, the plan will be centered around on-time performance, staffing, operations, equipment maintenance, customer service, fare collection, and winter weather resiliency plans.

The MBTA says the five-month agreement instills a sense of urgency into the strategy for service improvements to be made in the short term. The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board endorsed the plan.

“We can, and will do better,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “I’m pleased that Keolis has agreed in writing to work harder to achieve our shared goal of providing the level of service Commuter Rail customers expect and deserve.”

Widespread service outages derailed the T’s commuter services this past winter. As a result, officials examined a lessons-learned analysis which identified areas for improvements to make the rail system more “reliable and resilient.”

“Through this agreement, we are committing to the MBTA and our customers that we will further improve our service,” said Keolis General Manager Gerald C. Francis. “More importantly, this agreement serves as a road map for how we are going to deliver this improved service and rebuild the confidence and trust of our passengers by delivering on this commitment.”