New Commuter Rail Cars Finally In Service

Photo of an old MBTA commuter rail car. Three new cars were put in service April 24, 2013.

Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station Wednesday 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 Haverhill at 10:30 a.m. on April 24.

“We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a 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 the system in the coming weeks, according to the statement.

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 the MBTA:

  • 55 percent more seating than single-level coaches

  • Onboard LED displays for station announcements 

  • Larger bathrooms

  • Improved air conditioning and air flow systems

    South End Patch