June 30, 2022 |From the Mayor, MBTA, News, Transportation

MBTA Invests in Electrification

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Following pressure from North Shore Communities the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan now includes money for electrification.

When the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) released the first draft of its Capital Investment Plan (CIP) in April and it did not include any funding for electrification of the commuter rail, local, state, and federal officials representing communities on the Newburyport-Rockport line swung into action and urged that the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan (CIP) include such investments. 

A coalition of 24 federal, state and local officials, who represent the communities served by the Newburyport-Rockport line, signed a letter urging the MBTA to prioritize electrification of the Commuter Rail in its upcoming five-year capital improvement plan (CIP). The Coalition consists of representatives from the following municipalities: Beverly, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Nahant, Peabody, Revere, Salem, and Swampscott.

Officials urged constituents to follow suit by submitting feedback during the MBTA’s public comment period to advocate for electrification investment in the final version of the plan. Groups and individuals around the region offered their comments through online submission forms, e-mails, letters, and public meetings.

In collaboration with Mayor Nicholson, the Lynn City Council provided further support by adopting a resolution urging the MBTA to include electrification investments in the CIP.

Recognizing the critical role of electrification in the Environmental Justice Corridor, Sen. Elizabeth Warren made it her key focus when she visited Lynn in April, where she joined Lynn and surrounding communities’ elected officials to discuss obtaining federal transportation project funding and submitting an electrification plan. 

The electrification plan would address a new, transformational approach that centers transportation through a lens of environmental health and justice, equity, and economic opportunity.

While the amount is far less than what was requested and will eventually be needed to modernize the fleet, the MBTA ultimately decided to include $50 million in the final version of the CIP released in May. This money will be used to support the procurement of 25 electrified or multi-mode commuter rail rolling stock to replace the oldest vehicles in the fleet, which are diesel-powered.

“The significance of electrification is that by adding this funding the MBTA is acknowledging that there needs to be a new and markedly different approach to public reliable transportation,” Mayor Nicholson said. “Not only do commuters and residents need it to be more accessible, reliable, and efficient, but also cleaner and greener. Starting the transition away from diesel-powered vehicles is critical. This is also a step towards the kind of affordable rapid-transit our region needs”.

 “Thank you to everyone who helped advocate for this funding. There is still lots of work to be done, but this money is certainly a step in the right direction in electrifying the Commuter Rail,” said Senator Crighton. “We will continue our efforts in pushing for a system that is significantly more affordable, reliable, and helps us reach our environmental goals”.

The above was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.