SD 1701 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to setting deadlines to electrify the MBTA commuter rail

This bill requires the MBTA to provide fully electrified commuter rail service - using zero-emission infrastructure like electric trains and charging systems - across its entire system by December 31, 2035. It mandates specific deadlines: the MBTA must begin fully electrified service on the Providence/Stoughton, Fairmount, and Boston-to-Beverly segments of the Newburyport/Rockport lines by December 31, 2029, with detailed plans due by November 2026. The bill also requires the MBTA to develop short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for electrification, including infrastructure upgrades, funding schedules, and public input periods. These plans must prioritize environmental justice communities for future electrification and align with the state’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Bill status Introduction 0 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor