MBTA Initiates Dynamic Pilot Testing of Next-Generation Type 10 Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicles at Riverside Facility Under $816 Million Green Line Fleet Modernization

Pilot Testing Underway for Boston’s Next-Generation Light Rail Fleet

BOSTON, Massachusetts — In a major technical milestone for public transportation in Greater Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has officially launched dynamic track testing for its first pilot Type 10 light rail vehicles, commonly known as the Green Line 'Supercars.' Delivered to the MBTA's Riverside Maintenance Facility in Newton, the prototype cars are undergoing rigorous closed-circuit commissioning, braking calibration, and systems integration trials ahead of their scheduled commercial passenger launch in 2027.

The pilot testing marks the tangible beginning of an $816 million procurement contract awarded to rail manufacturer CAF USA Inc. to build 102 state-of-the-art light rail vehicles. Designed to completely replace the aging Type 7 and Type 8 fleets that have operated along the Green Line for decades, the program represents the most substantial vehicle upgrade in the historic line's 127-year history.

100% Low-Floor Architecture and Universal Accessibility

Unlike older mixed-fleet trains that feature steep interior stairwells or elevated platforms, the new Type 10 vehicles introduce a 100% low-floor design throughout the entire passenger compartment. This allows seamless, level boarding across street-level surface stops and subterranean subway stations alike, eliminating longstanding physical barriers for passengers with disabilities, parents with strollers, and elderly riders.

Each four-section articulated vehicle measures 114 feet in length—nearly 40 feet longer than existing cars—providing wider passenger aisles, four sets of wide double doors per side to dramatically accelerate passenger boarding times, designated priority seating zones with bridge plates, and dedicated securement areas for wheelchairs and mobility devices.

Cutting-Edge Safety Systems and Passenger Amenities

The Type 10 trains incorporate advanced Crash Energy Management (CEM) structural designs and cutting-edge Train Protection Systems (TPS), providing automated speed control and collision prevention technology to safeguard train operators and passengers. The driver cabs are equipped with panoramic sightlines, ergonomic control consoles, and real-time CCTV monitoring covering both interior cabins and exterior trackways.

Passenger amenities include high-efficiency HVAC air purification units, dynamic digital passenger information screens displaying real-time connection data across MBTA bus and subway lines, USB charging ports, and energy-efficient regenerative braking systems that return power to the overhead catenary grid during deceleration.

Transforming Service Reliability Across the Green Line Network

The delivery of the 102 Type 10 vehicles is supported by ongoing station modifications, power substation upgrades, and track rehabilitation along the B, C, D, and E branches of the Green Line. Transit officials emphasize that transitioning to a unified, standardized fleet will significantly reduce maintenance downtime, increase line capacity by more than 20%, and ensure modern, weather-resilient transit service across the Greater Boston metropolitan area for decades to come.