MBTA approves electric train project on commuter rail line

The MBTA board of directors has approved a new plan to bring battery-powered electric trains to the Fairmount commuter rail line, it announced in a statement Thursday.

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

“This project represents a major victory for Fairmount Line riders and our entire state. By electrifying the Fairmount Line, we will provide more frequent and reliable service while moving Massachusetts toward its climate goals,” Governor Maura Healey said in the statement.

How do electric trains work?

The trains, called battery electric multiple units (BEMUs), are hybrids. A battery in the train charges when it is connected to overhead lines, such as at Gare du Sud. Once the battery is sufficiently charged, it automatically powers the train.

The BEMU trains will provide 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 annually, according to the transit agency. Like many other electric vehicles, the BEMUs are much quieter than their diesel counterparts and will provide passengers with a more pleasant ride, the MBTA said.

How much will the new trains cost?

The MBTA board of directors approved $54 million for the project on Thursday. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the commuter rail network, has proposed integrating the BEMUs in 2023.

“We are pleased that our proposal has been approved and that we are able to partner with the MBTA to bring carbon-free service to the Fairmount Line community,” said Keolis Commuter Services CEO Abdellah Chajai.

According to the MBTA, new trains would be deployed as early as 2028.