MBTA CAF USA Type 9
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
| Headquarters | Elmira, New York (final assembly location) , United States (assembly), Spain (car bodies) |
| Products | Light rail vehicles (Type 9 LRV for MBTA Green Line) |
The Type 9 LRV represents a series of low-floor light rail vehicles produced by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) specifically for the MBTA Green Line. This fleet, consisting of 24 units, was commissioned in 2014 to accommodate the Green Line Extension initiative, with operations commencing in 2018. Final assembly took place in Elmira, New York, utilizing car bodies fabricated in Spain.
Background
Serving the Greater Boston area in Massachusetts, the Green Line operates as a light rail network with four branches linking downtown Boston to its western and northern suburbs. Tracing its origins to Boston’s streetcar system established in 1897, it remains among the most heavily utilized light rail systems in the United States, transporting over 101,000 passengers daily as of 2023.
The state of Massachusetts pledged support for the Green Line Extension in 1991 through a settlement connected to the Big Dig, although construction did not commence until 2012. This expansion necessitated acquiring an additional 24 vehicles to handle increased service demands.
The MBTA's classification of light rail vehicles follows the legacy of the Boston Elevated Railway numbering scheme, evolving through Types 6 (a prototype that was never built), 7, and 8 before introducing the Type 9 series for this recent expansion.
History
During planning for the Green Line Extension, MBTA launched procurement efforts for the Type 9 LRVs, seeking a new manufacturer following challenges encountered with AnsaldoBreda’s Type 8 cars. The Type 8 fleet suffered from frequent derailments and mechanical failures, prompting MBTA to overhaul its procurement strategy by strengthening internal project oversight and providing manufacturers with comprehensive infrastructure details.
In 2011, a request for proposals was issued, resulting in CAF USA—the American branch of Spain’s Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles—being awarded a $118 million contract for 24 vehicles, averaging approximately $4.92 million per car. Deliveries were planned between late 2017 and late 2018. To comply with Buy America requirements, car shells were produced in Spain and subsequently assembled in Elmira, New York.
The inaugural Type 9 car arrived for testing in March 2018. In July of that year, Governor Charlie Baker and Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack participated in a ceremonial ride. Regular passenger service began on December 21, 2018. The remaining 23 cars were delivered from 2018 through 2020 and entered active service between 2019 and 2021. The Green Line Extension opened incrementally during 2022, several years behind its original schedule.
Features and specifications
Type 9 vehicles incorporate state-of-the-art safety measures, operational efficiencies, and enhancements aimed at improving passenger comfort. They are pioneers among U.S. light rail vehicles by integrating crash energy management systems that improve protection for both operators and passengers during collisions. Additionally, these cars are equipped with positive train control capabilities to support the forthcoming Green Line Train Protection System.
Accessibility upgrades include improved bridge plates facilitating quicker step-free boarding and expanded areas designated for wheelchairs and strollers. Sliding plug doors replace traditional folding doors to accelerate boarding processes.
During regular operations, Type 9 cars are configured into two- or three-car trainsets and are interoperable only with other Type 9 vehicles; however, they possess the ability to push or tow different models when necessary under emergency conditions.
Safety Issues
In 2022, the Federal Transit Administration conducted an inspection that raised concerns about the MBTA’s safety protocols, noting that the safety department was understaffed and lacked sufficient involvement in capital project oversight. The evaluation pointed out specifically that the brakes on the Type 9 cars had not undergone adequate safety certification.
On April 17, 2023, a Type 9 train experienced a breakdown at Boylston station during the Boston Marathon when a floor panel became misaligned and buckled under pressure, causing significant Green Line service interruptions for several hours. Following this incident, all Type 9 vehicles were withdrawn for thorough examination and were soon reinstated into operation.
Prospects
At present, Type 9 cars serve all four branches of the Green Line. Their replacements, known as the Type 10 vehicles, will be manufactured by CAF and are planned to fully supplant the existing Type 7 and Type 8 fleets by the early 2030s. Once the Type 10 trains are introduced, the Type 9 cars are slated for transfer to the Mattapan Line, where they will replace the longstanding PCC streetcar fleet dating back to the mid-1940s. To accommodate the longer and heavier Type 9 vehicles, modifications to Mattapan Line infrastructure will be necessary. This proposed transition has generated discussion, with some stakeholders favoring preservation of the historic PCC streetcars, while others stress the need for their timely replacement.