RFI 63-24 Regional Rail Future Innovative Operating Contract

Background
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is seeking potential approaches for its successor contractual structure as its current contract to operate and maintain the Commuter Rail system approaches expiry. The MBTA aims to modernize the railroad, delivering a safe and equitable railroad that drives regional growth for Massachusetts. The main potential roles which could be procured separately or together as part of a Regional Rail contract or contracts include passenger service operations, legacy rolling stock maintenance, new rolling stock provision, maintenance and finance/leasing, infrastructure management, and delivery, finance, and long-term maintenance of major capital works including electrification.

Work Details
The work involves upgrading the legacy Commuter Rail system to a modernized Regional Rail service, catering to a larger market than the traditional commuters it has served for 60 years. The future modernization will take place as part of a new innovative operating structure. The potential roles to be undertaken include passenger service operations, legacy rolling stock maintenance, new rolling stock provision, maintenance and finance/leasing, infrastructure management (including O&M and dispatch), and delivery, finance, and long-term maintenance of major capital works including electrification.

Place of Performance
The geographic location for the performance of the contract is Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.