Policy Update: MBTA Locomotive Procurement and Rail Modernization Plan Updates
March 12, 2026
At the monthly convening of the MBTA Board of Directors on February 26, 2026, MBTA leadership presented key updates on a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) for Regional Rail locomotives issued on February 25, 2026, and shared their intentions to engage local stakeholders for input on the development of a new Rail Modernization Plan to be released in the Summer of 2026. Here’s what to know and how to get involved!
Locomotive Procurement Details & What This Means for Service
The MBTA’s February 25 RFP (see slide #7) requests ten (10) battery-electric locomotives, ten (10) “tier-4” diesel locomotives (the most stringent EPA emission standard for diesels), and a contract option to purchase up to 50 additional battery-electric or tier-4 diesel locomotives to be used on the Commuter Rail system. For context, roughly half of its existing fleet, or more than 50 locomotives, will reach end-of-life in the 2030s (see slide #5). With the procurement, the MBTA aims to preempt this fast-approaching locomotive cliff, which, according to Executive Director of Commuter Rail Mike Muller, must be addressed with new locomotives in revenue service by 2033 to maintain the current level of service.
Forced with the decision to fill a near-term locomotive deficit, the MBTA is using this opportunity to buy the most practical and environmentally friendly equipment available to them. The MBTA plans to deploy the battery-electric locomotives on the Providence/Stoughton line—which runs along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and features discontinuous overhead catenary wire—that will run on the catenary electricity when available and default to battery-generated electricity in unpowered sections of the route. The MBTA plans to deploy the tier-4 diesels, which would provide a 90% reduction in particulate matter emissions, an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, and a significant reduction in noise pollution compared to the diesel locomotives being decommissioned
Crucially, this locomotive procurement does not preclude the MBTA from investing in the equipment and infrastructure required to fully electrify the entire Commuter Rail system but ensures it will have the power to maintain existing service through the transition to electrified rail.
Rail Modernization Plan Development & the MBTA’s Current Vision for Regional Rail
On February 26, 2026, the MBTA also stated its four key pillars of Regional Rail service for the future: Frequency, Reliability, Accessibility, and Decarbonization (see slides #3 and #4). Ongoing capital projects including, but not limited to, the North Station/Draw One bridge replacement (reliability), the Fairmount Battery-Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) project (decarbonization), among other initiatives such as upgrading station platforms (accessibility), and building turn-tracks, passing sidings, and track interlockings (frequency) all aim to advance Commuter Rail system improvements in at least one of these four key areas.
Building on these projects, the MBTA announced that it plans to release a new Rail Modernization Plan in Summer 2026 that would formally lay out an updated near-term and long-term strategy toward electrifying the entire system to reduce carbon emissions and run cleaner, quieter trains for local communities, while simultaneously improving the frequency, reliability, and accessibility of service. The plan will help prioritize capital investments in the system over the next ten years.
The MBTA is seeking input from stakeholders across the Commonwealth and will begin its public outreach this spring by holding tabling events at MBTA stations, hosting public meetings, and reaching out directly to municipalities, regional planning agencies (RPAs), regional transportation authorities (RTAs), and other stakeholders.
Next Steps
A Better City will continue engaging with the MBTA to better understand their goals for this plan and will create opportunities for members to provide their perspectives on the rail modernization effort early on in this process. If you are interested in being involved or would like to shape upcoming forum(s) for feedback and discussion, please do not hesitate to contact Amir Wilson (awilson@abettercity.org) or Kate Dineen (kdineen@abettercity.org).
