COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE AT BEST PERFORMANCE LEVELS IN MORE THAN 3 YEARS

The MBTA's General Manager today announced that the Commuter Rail system has been performing at an exceptionally high level of service for several months now.  Commuter Rail’s on-time performance has been above 90% for four straight months, the last three of which have been above 94% (please see chart on the right).  That means 94% of all trains arrived at their destinations within five minutes of their scheduled arrivals.  MBTA Commuter Rail trains make 491 trips on thirteen lines each weekday.

"Many factors have led to this improvement in reliability, including capital investments by the MBTA Board of Directors, the removal of speed restrictions on various lines, a focused repair approach to locomotives, replacement of antiquated signal systems and a significant investment in an aging passenger coach fleet," said general manager.  "These improvements coupled with strong management oversight by both the T and MBCR staff is having a very positive impact on the MBTA’s ability to provide the service our passengers deserve and expect."

The recent upward trend for on-time performance is just one piece of good news for commuter rail customers.  There have been virtually no reports of any coaches with air conditioning problems; Defibrillators have been installed on every train; Wi-Fi equipment installations are on schedule and now at least two coaches are Wi-Fi-equipped on every train set; and the T will soon be announcing a pilot program for the Passenger Train Information System, which will make automated stop announcements and provide for a "next train" countdown on Commuter Rail platforms.

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