MBTA approves plan for new electric trains on Fairmount Commuter Rail line

The new electric trains will hit the line as early as 2028, the MBTA says.

A commuter rail train stops at the MBTA Malden Center Station shown in a 2022 file photo.

July 25, 2024

The MBTA Board of Directors approved a new plan to bring battery-powered electric trains to the Fairmount Commuter Rail line, it announced in a statement on Thursday.

The new trains will mean more frequent service and lower emissions, the agency said.

“This plan is a major win for Fairmount Line riders and our entire state. By electrifying the Fairmount Line, we’ll deliver more frequent, reliable service while also moving Massachusetts forward on our climate goals,” Governor Maura Healey said in the statement.

How do the electric trains work?

The trains, called battery electric multiple unit trains (BEMUs), are hybrid. A battery on the train charges when connected to overhead wires, like at South Station. Once the battery is charged enough, it will automatically power the train.

BEMU trains will bring faster, more reliable service, the MBTA said. The new trains will save 1.6 million gallons of fuel and eliminate 17,700 tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the transit agency. Like many other electric vehicles, BEMUs are far quieter than their diesel counterparts and will offer riders a smoother ride, the MBTA said.

What will the new trains cost?

The MBTA Board approved $54 million for the project on Thursday. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the Commuter Rail, proposed the integration of BEMUs in 2023.

“We’re thrilled that our proposal has been approved and that we are able to partner with the MBTA to introduce decarbonized service to the Fairmount line community,” CEO of Keolis Commuter Services Abdellah Chajai said.

New trains would be rolled out as early as 2028, according to the MBTA.