Commuter Rail schedules will be changing again in the spring as MBTA and Keolis officials continue to try to rebalance the service in light of commuter changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Travel patterns have changed and will continue to evolve. As we look to the spring, we can be even more efficient with taxpayer dollars while ridership is low and use this time to shift toward a schedule that could be more attractive to future riders. The intent is to pilot a service model closer to regional rail,” said Steve Poftak, General Manager of the MBTA.Officials defined regional rail as a strategy commonly utilized in Europe that includes using a consistent interval between departures and offering regular service in both directions from major hubs. The finalized schedules are not expected until March but in a statement, Keolis and the MBTA outlined some of the features. “Compared to the Fall 2019 pre-COVID schedule, this direction will have approximately 11 percent fewer weekly trains, while improving rolling stock utilization by approximately 18 percent,” Keolis wrote. “Shifting in part to this model on MBTA Commuter Rail is possible due to the low ridership, and it is beneficial for the MBTA because it provides financial efficiencies as well as increased flexibility to increase service in the future when appropriate.”David Scorey, CEO and General Manager of Keolis, said the changes recognize that fewer people have a traditional 9-5 commute and adds that the service hopes to attract new riders with the change. “We’re pleased to help the MBTA strike a balance between the need for greater cost efficiencies, while still providing an attractive service for potential riders,” he said.
Commuter Rail schedules will be changing again in the spring as MBTA and Keolis officials continue to try to rebalance the service in light of commuter changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Travel patterns have changed and will continue to evolve. As we look to the spring, we can be even more efficient with taxpayer dollars while ridership is low and use this time to shift toward a schedule that could be more attractive to future riders. The intent is to pilot a service model closer to regional rail,” said Steve Poftak, General Manager of the MBTA.
Officials defined regional rail as a strategy commonly utilized in Europe that includes using a consistent interval between departures and offering regular service in both directions from major hubs.
The finalized schedules are not expected until March but in a statement, Keolis and the MBTA outlined some of the features.
“Compared to the Fall 2019 pre-COVID schedule, this direction will have approximately 11 percent fewer weekly trains, while improving rolling stock utilization by approximately 18 percent,” Keolis wrote. “Shifting in part to this model on MBTA Commuter Rail is possible due to the low ridership, and it is beneficial for the MBTA because it provides financial efficiencies as well as increased flexibility to increase service in the future when appropriate.”
David Scorey, CEO and General Manager of Keolis, said the changes recognize that fewer people have a traditional 9-5 commute and adds that the service hopes to attract new riders with the change.
“We’re pleased to help the MBTA strike a balance between the need for greater cost efficiencies, while still providing an attractive service for potential riders,” he said.
