MBTA Awards $810 Million Contract For 10 Supercars

In full transparency, the following is a press release from the MBTA

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BOSTON – Following a presentation by the MBTA’s Capital Transformation and Vehicle Engineering teams, the MBTA’s Board of Directors awarded an over-$810 million contract to CAF USA Inc. to deliver over 100 Green Line Type 10 “Supercar” trolleys, which will bring benefits to riders and the MBTA system through increased safety, accessibility, capacity, and maintainability.

“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 also include the latest safety technology, updated accessibility improvements, and other upgrades that improve the rider experience. We look forward to beginning the supercar design phase this fall, and receiving the first pilot vehicles in spring 2026.”

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The procurement of the new Type 10 vehicle fleet is a keystone project in the Green Line Transformation Program’s larger portfolio to help achieve improvements in four levels of transformation, including improving the safety and state of good repair, increasing accessibility, replacing legacy vehicles, and increasing rider capacity. This provides an opportunity for significant improvements to the Green Line and its riders.

“The Type 10 Supercars bring us closer to increasing safety, accessibility, and capacity for the Green Line,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “We strive to align our projects with our vision for the future of the Green Line as well as several levels of transformation, including our goal of enhancing accessibility through long-term investments. Securing this contract for the Supercars advances our commitment to improving the Green Line and providing our riders with the best quality of service possible.”

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The new Green Line Type 10 supercar will be 40 feet longer than the Green Line vehicles in use today and includes wider door openings, which will maximize passenger capacity, boarding efficiency, and accessibility. The design also includes 100% low-floor boarding, eliminating all stairs for passenger entry and improving accessibility for riders. Low-floor boarding will also be accommodated in future station upgrades to allow for level boarding. Additional accessibility improvements include bridge plates at all double-leaf doors to assist with boarding and four priority areas in the vehicles for passengers using wheeled mobility devices. The Type 10 vehicles also feature state-of-the-art technology and enhanced communication systems, including audiovisual information screens for improved passenger wayfinding and overall customer experience.

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The new Supercars will employ the latest generation of crash-safety technology, which will create a safer environment for both operators and riders. The design includes a closed operator’s cab with increased visibility, which eliminates the likelihood of extraneous distractions and improves the safety for everyone on board.

Currently, the Type 10 vehicles are in the procurement phase with the design phase scheduled to begin in fall 2022. The Supercars will be in design for a few years before pilot vehicles are introduced to the system.

The total cost of the contract awarded to CAF USA Inc. is $810,925,658, and includes the manufacture and delivery of 102 new Type 10 Light Rail vehicles, associated tools, testing, training, materials, equipment, services, and more.

Capital Transformation follows a holistic approach to transforming the Green, Orange, and Red Lines. The program is aligned by multiple Levels of Transformation: Improving Safety & Bringing Infrastructure into a State of Good Repair, Enhancing Accessibility, Replacing Legacy Fleets, Increasing Passenger Capacity, Modernizing Rider Experience, and Expanding Service.

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