Community Corner
New Commuter Rail Cars Finally In Service
After five years of waiting, the first batch of double-decker commuter coaches left from North Station Wednesday morning.
Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station this morning, took a ride that was five years in the making.
The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station toward Harvehill at 10:30 a.m. April 24.
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“We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in an MBTA statement. “These new coaches will do just that; with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.”
The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout in the coming weeks, according to the statement.
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The MBTA bought the coaches for $190 million in 2008, but a series of production delays held the cars up until now.
Aspects of the new coaches, according to MBTA:
- 55 percent more seating than single-level coaches
- Onboard LED displays for station announcements
- Larger bathrooms
- Improved air conditioning and air flow systems
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