USA: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board has awarded CAF USA a contract to supply 102 light rail vehicles for Boston’s Green Line.
The base contract approved on August 31 is worth $811m, including the 102 Type 10 Supercar LRVs, two driving simulators, spare parts, tools, test equipment and a three-year warranty.
There are options for the purchase of additional vehicles and equipment.
‘This is an incredible moment that marks an inflection point for the MBTA’s Green Line riders as we continue to work to transform the entire line’, said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. ‘Not only will the Type 10 Supercars provide more capacity and a roomier ride for what is the nation’s busiest light rail line, but they will also include the latest safety technology, updated accessibility improvements, and other upgrades that improve the rider experience.’
Type 10 Supercar
The Type 10 LRVs are scheduled to enter service from spring 2026 to 2031, replacing the existing type 7 and 8 vehicles.
The 100% low floor LRVs will have seven modules, with wider doors than the current fleets, audiovisual information screens, bridge plates at the doors and four priority areas for passengers with reduced mobility. Stop enhancements will provide level boarding.
The closed and full-width cab will provide the driver with increased visibility, which MBTA said would improve safety by eliminating ‘the likelihood of extraneous distractions’.
This will be CAF’s second order from Boston, following a 2014 contract to manufacture 24 Type 9 LRVs which entered service on the Green Line from 2018. Manufacturing will be undertaken at CAF’s production facility at Elmira in New York state, and in Spain.
