State Commuter Railroad Co. Aims to Stop Rail Network Deal in Court

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company is set to make a case against the MBTA in Suffolk Superior Court this week as it aims to stop French rail company Keolis from taking over the state's commuter rail network, the Boston Globe reported. 

Last month, Keolis won a bid to take over operation of the MBTA's commuter rail system, having won the state's largest operating contract in history; state officials revealed the contract price of $2.68 billion over eight years with the possibility for two two-year extensions.

The base deal would come to about $335 million per year, which is higher than the $214 million per year that was paid to the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company when first awarded its contract about 10 years ago.

Subsequently, commuter railroad representatives have alleged that the competitor's proposal was inadequate, and the company last month filed an administrative appeal to the T asking that the head of procurement and the T's general counsel review the company's complaints of unfairness in the bidding process, according to the Globe.

Attorneys for the company and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are scheduled to make arguments Friday over whether the company should continue transferring control of the rail system to Keolis, according to the report. 

For more, read the full story on The Boston Globe website >>