About 200 BLET members work at MBTA, the fifth-busiest commuter railroad in the United States. Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is taking bids to handle transit operations and maintenance at the nation’s fifth-busiest commuter rail system. According to a report from NBC Boston, the list of potential bidders includes Keolis, Alstom Transport USA Inc., Mass Regional Rail, and Transdev North America Inc.
Keolis is the current operator of MBTA’s 14 commuter rail lines, which serve the Greater Boston region and Rhode Island. MBTA’s rail ridership averages nearly 90,000 passengers per weekday.
Final proposals will be submitted in fall of 2026, and the transit agency plans to select an operator by the end of the year.
Amtrak General Chairman Pat Darcy said the BLET is closely monitoring the situation. The Amtrak GCA represents 200 locomotive engineers who work at MBTA.