Press Release: 3/4/2026

Battery electric locomotives to come on the Providence/Stoughton MBTA Commuter Rail Line

 

March 3, 2026

By Celeste Venolia

The MBTA announced that they are issuing an “request for proposals” to procure 10 new battery electric locomotives for the Providence Commuter Rail line and 10 new diesel locomotives at a significantly higher tier than the oldest in the current fleet. These locomotives will significantly reduce emissions and noise/vibrations for abutters. The bid documents also have options for purchase of up to 50 more locomotives when funding allows for either battery electric or diesel. This is the T’s second small step towards decarbonization of the commuter rail following the 2024 announcement of battery electric multiple unit pilot on the Fairmount line (MA press release).

During the MBTA Board meeting on Feb 26th, Caitlin Allen-Connelly, Executive Director of Transit Matters said, “The RFP [Request for Proposal] procurement for diesel and battery electric trains released yesterday has the potential to lock the system in for another 20 years of slow and infrequent service that does not deliver the full gains of a true regional rail system...” She called for amending the RFP to allow for the possibility of purchasing Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) because of their greater reliability, faster speeds, and lower costs than battery electric locomotives. Allen-Connelly additionally noted that “On the Providence Line for example, switching from today’s diesel locomotives to EMUs would save riders 23 minutes per trip.” We agree that trains directly powered by catenary such as EMUs would be ideal for the reasons Caitlin stated. We’d also support the RFP to be modified to allow for the possibility of other electric or hybrid diesel-electric locomotives. We also understand the tough constraints the MBTA is trying to make progress under with financial constraints and aging locomotives.

The transportation sector is the largest contributor of MA Greenhouse gas emissions accounting for 38% in 2022 (MA Climate metrics webpage). Public transit is a vital climate solution. Getting people onto transit via running more service reliably is key to reducing the emissions of our transit sector. For our transit agencies to be able to expand service and decarbonize, Massachusetts leaders must find new equitable funding sources. The Funding Our Future report from December 2024 gives an excellent menu of options for new equitable funding sources. It’s time to make sure our public transit agencies aren’t having to severely constrain their goals for modernizing our transit systems. We must continue organizing, so that our leaders' actions reflect the public’s desire for bolder changes that meet the urgency we feel for our environment and future generations.