MBTA bilevel cars
| Industry | Rail transport |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Single-level BTC-1 series railcars |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
| Products | Bilevel commuter railcars |
| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority maintains a specialized roster of bilevel railcars within its MBTA Commuter Rail network. The initial batch of 73 cars, which included 23 control cab units, was delivered by Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing between 1990 and 1991 to accommodate increased passenger volumes. Further Kawasaki bilevel cars were introduced up until 2006. Since 2014, the MBTA has been acquiring new bilevel vehicles from Hyundai Rotem, with ongoing procurement efforts aimed at replacing the older single-level fleet.
History
During the early 1990s, as the MBTA prepared for expansions such as the extension of the Framingham Line and the reopening of the Old Colony Lines, it shifted from using primarily single-level BTC-1 series cars—mainly produced by Bombardier with seating capacities ranging from 122 to 127—to bilevel railcars to enhance capacity. Additionally, the MBTA operated a distinctive set of MBB-built BTC-3 and CTC-3 cars that featured onboard restrooms but offered fewer seats (between 88 and 94), representing the sole restroom-equipped cars until 2005.
The first Kawasaki bilevel contract comprised 50 BTC-4 coaches and 23 CTC-4 control cab cars, followed by supplementary orders for BTC-4A and BTC-4B models through 2002. Between 2005 and 2006, an additional 33 BTC-4C coaches outfitted with restrooms were delivered to support the Greenbush Line inauguration; these marked Kawasaki’s final shipment. These "K-cars" remained the fleet's core for many years.
In 2008, Hyundai Rotem won a $170 million contract to supply 47 BTC-4D coaches along with 28 CTC-5 control cabs—the first new bilevel control cars since the original CTC-4 series. Starting in 2012, these units featured advanced technology such as LED route displays and automatic door mechanisms, improving operational performance.
Between 2014 and 2021, Alstom undertook a comprehensive refurbishment of most Kawasaki bilevel cars at its Hornell, New York facility. Upgrades included interior enhancements, installation of LED signage, automatic doors, new trucks, and couplers—bringing them on par with Hyundai Rotem models. It is noteworthy that BTC-4C cars have not been refurbished and lack modern features; they are predominantly assigned to northern lines due to their age-related limitations.
By 2019, MBTA’s strategy involved replacing its entire single-level fleet of approximately 260 cars with bilevel coaches to sustain capacity amid ridership increases. An initial purchase of 80 Hyundai Rotem bilevels was made to phase out MBB equipment and support South Coast Rail service extensions to Fall River and New Bedford; this order was subsequently expanded to 83 units. Future procurement plans include acquiring over 200 additional bilevel cars to fully replace single-level vehicles and accommodate system growth.
Blind Trailer Coaches
| Specification | Builder | Year built | Car numbers | Number active | Seats | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTC-4 | Kawasaki | 1990–91 | 700–749 | 50 | 185 | Refurbished by Alstom between 2014 and 2019 | |
| BTC-4A | Kawasaki | 1997–98 | 750–766 | 17 | 182 | Refurbished by Alstom from 2019 to 2021 | |
| BTC-4B | Kawasaki | 2001–02 | 767–781 | 15 | 182 | Refurbished by Alstom from 2019 to 2021 | |
| BTC-4C | Kawasaki | 2005–06 | 900–932 | 33 | 178 | Equipped with restrooms | |
| BTC-4D | Hyundai Rotem | 2012–14 | 800–846 | 47 | 179 | Restroom-equipped | |
| BTC-4D | Hyundai Rotem | 2022–24 | 847–886 | 40 | 179 | Restroom-equipped | |
| BTC-4D | Hyundai Rotem | 2026–27 | TBD | 0 | 179 | Restroom-equipped; order placed for 70 units with deliveries starting in 2026 |
Control Trailer Coaches
| Specification | Manufacturer | Construction Period | Fleet Numbers | Units in Service | Seating Capacity | Remarks | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTC-4 | Kawasaki | 1990–1991 | 1700–1724 | 24 | 175 | Refurbished by Alstom between 2014 and 2019 | |
| CTC-5 | Hyundai Rotem | 2012–2014 | 1800–1827 | 28 | 173 | ||
| CTC-5 | Hyundai Rotem | 2022–2024 | 1828–1870 | 43 | 173 | ||
| CTC-5 | Hyundai Rotem | 2026–2027 (planned) | To Be Determined | 0 | 173 | Order placed for 10 units; deliveries scheduled to start in 2026 |