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ToadScoper OP t1_j5v7nkr wrote

The legislation effectively resurrects the 2019 fiscal control board service delivery plan for electrification that was later shelved when that board was dissolved. With a new governor and big shakeups looming over the MBTA, I can see how politicians want to get this plan on track and move away from the short-sighted hybrid concept.

That being said, the legislation is very half-baked and infeasible, especially regarding the electrification deadlines for 2024. Even if EMUs are ordered in the next 1 to 2 years, the T has no facilities that can maintain or receive electric regional trains; leasing interim electric locomotives from Amtrak is also difficult since they’re already stretched thin for motive power on the NEC. Likewise, the Providence/Stoughton line station sidings are not electrified past providence and requires a substantial amount of infrastructure installation (also forget about electrifying Newburyport/rockport or Fairmount by 2024, even in a perfect world that’s unrealistic for the MBTA).

While I don’t think this bill will go anywhere, I’m certain a lot more similar bills will be submitted over the coming months.

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dpm25 t1_j5v9n7d wrote

Wasn't this already passed in some version and line item vetoed by Baker?

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ToadScoper OP t1_j5w63eq wrote

Not in terms of commuter rail electrification, he did cancel the procurement of diesel multiple units in 2015

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dpm25 t1_j5w6g6d wrote

https://bankerandtradesman.com/baker-seeks-order-for-battery-electrification-of-commuter-trains/

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ToadScoper OP t1_j5wgj6f wrote

Battery trains were only conceptually proposed last summer due to a mandate within a environmental bill to recommend electrification alternatives- no contracts were ever finalized for hybrid service delivery. As it stands, there really is no current plan to electrify the commuter rail

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dpm25 t1_j5wgsml wrote

Battery trains was the baker veto. Legislature called for no new diesel purchases by 2030 per that article.

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samirfreiha t1_j5zysgn wrote

honestly a great veto, battery trains suck ass

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dpm25 t1_j6003w7 wrote

No, the line item veto was an advocation for battery trains.

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