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On Feb. 24, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) awarded a $1 billion contract to Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co. (MBCR) to operate its commuter-rail service for the next five years.



A joint venture between Connex, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate Concepts Inc., MBCR will take control of the system July 1 from Amtrak, which has operated the service for the past 17 years.



MBTA, which owns the infrastructure, expects the operator change to significantly improve service, says MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo. Incentives have been built into the contract rewarding MBCR if it exceeds performance levels, he says, adding that there are minimum train-staffing requirements.



"There are a number of clauses built into the contract designed to improve the overall delivery of service and make the contractor more accountable," Pesaturo says.



MBTA hopes MBCR will change and expand the system, says Pesaturo.



— Angela Claypool