MBCR's December Performance Best Since June 2009

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) posted its best single-month of performance since June of 2009 in December 2011 with an on time percentage of 92.8 percent, said MBCR spokeswoman Andrea Wheeler of Mills and Co.

And so far in January, the commuter rail is posting an unadjusted on-time performance of 94.4 percent.

Closer to home, on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, the commuter rail's on-time performance in December was 86.9 percent; and, so far, in January the on-time performance has been 91.9 percent, the MBCR spokeswoman said.

That's a major improvement over last year's times in January when only 56.5 percent of the Newburyport/Rockport trains were on time.

In 2010 in December, 78.9 percent of the trains were on time along the Newburyport/Rockport corridor.

The rail line came under harsh criticism last year from and others for regular delays in the frozen months of January and February 2011.

The MBCR said at the time that stormy weather, frozen switches and brakes, an aging fleet and issues with the Beverly drawbridge contributed to the lateness. The MBCR promised changes were on the way including repairs to the drawbridge and a reduced schedule during major storms.

Wheeler said that the recent improvements resulted from a renewed spirit of collaboration with the MBTA, a new senior management team at MBCR, and significant investments into service improvement initiatives.

“MBCR worked relentlessly in partnership with the MBTA to improve every aspect of our performance, especially after the tough start to the year,” said Hugh J. Kiley Jr., MBCR general manager, in a prepared statement. “Both organizations are pleased that the hard work has translated into excellent results for customers.”

The improved on-time performance in December 2011 compared with December 2010 is the highest single year-over-year gain for on-time percentage since 2008, according to the statement.

The MBCR and the MBTA went on to attribute the success to the renewed partnership between the two organizations in 2011 and MBCR’s new senior management team, which includes General Manager Kiley along with a new chief mechanical officer and new chief transportation officer.

In addition the new management team hired 25 new conductors and 13 new engineers and purchased more than $500,000 of equipment for winter weather months.

In addition, Kiley introduced a new management plan whereby six managers were appointed to directly oversee each commuter rail line.

MBCR plans to build on its success in the coming year, Wheeler stated, with a new mechanical department initiative funded by the MBTA. This program allows MBCR crews to repair chassis structures on coach cars an average of nine days faster than before, the statement said. This new “Truck Shop” allows more reliable equipment to return to service promptly, according to the news release.

MBCR will also continue with planned track work, such as construction of a second track along the Haverhill line to permit greater maneuverability of trains, which reduce residual delays, the release stated.

About MBCR:

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company, LLC (MBCR) is a partnership of Veolia Transportation, the largest private sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America and one of Europe’s largest passenger transportation companies; Bombardier Transportation, the world’s leader in the manufacture and maintenance of passenger rail vehicles; and Alternate Concepts, a Boston-based transportation operations firm. MBCR operates and maintains the fifth largest commuter rail network in the United States under a contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MBCR provides service to 40 million passengers a year in nearly 80 cities and towns in Massachusetts, as well as Providence, RI.