2024 COMMUTER RAIL SUMMIT

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

• The Future of Commuter Rail

• Commuter Rail: Safer, Smarter, More Secure

• Managing the Operational Impacts of PTC and Considerations for PTC 2.0

• Accessibility and Delivering on the Promise of the ADA

• Ridership Recovery

• Climate Resiliency

• Driving On Time Performance

• Revolutionizing Fare Policy

• Operations Cost Containment

• Transforming Service Models: Transitioning to Regional Rail

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Rich Andreski, Trinity Metro

• Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain

• Dave Dech, SFRTA

• Shawn Donaghy, NCTD

• Phil Eng, MBTA

• Rob Free, LIRR

• Dee Leggett, DART

• Mike Noland, South Shore Line

• Rob Padgette, Capitol Corridor

• Janice Thomas, Metra

• Zach Thomas, UTA

8:30 – 11 AM | OPTIONAL TECHNICAL TOUR: SOUTH STATION

Advance registration is required

SOUTH STATION

(repeats Wednesday)

Air Rights Development Tour

By offering air rights development at South Station, the MBTA has leveraged their considerable real estate asset in Downtown Boston to generate revenue for the agency. The South Station Tower project will include 711,500 gross square feet of office space and more than 166 condominium units.

Tour Elements:

• Tour the current construction site

• Review Tower Plans

• MBTA/ Keolis discussion about managing service during construction and the partnership (Rich Murphy)

Centralized Electrification and Traffic Control (CETC) Center Tour

Visit the South Station Dispatch Theater. Shared by the MBTA Commuter Rail (operated by Keolis) and Amtrak, CETC controls not only all train movements between Boston and New Haven Connecticut, it also controls the high speed trains on the North East Corridor via ACSES, and also the electrical loads and electrical distribution associated with the Amtrak electrified train system.

Tour Elements:

• Short presentation on the Northeast Corridor Dispatch and the partnership between the MBTA and Amtrak

• Walk through in small groups of the dispatch center itself while it’s in operation

• Boston Landing (This supplement is available Monday only, departing from South Station

• Boston Landing is a mixed used development in Boston’s Brighton Neighborhood encompassing more than 15 acres of land along the MassPike. This new development site is the home of New Balance’s world headquarters, the practice facility for the Boston Bruins, and thousands of square feet of new housing and office space. The whole project is anchored by a newly construction Commuter Rail station.

Tour Elements:

• Review the Boston Landing Zoning and community plan

• Visit Bruins practice facility

• Tour new station

• Equipment Demonstration on Platform 13

Noon – 4:30 PM | CRC FALL BOARD MEETING – CRC MEMBERS ONLY

CRC Board Meeting @ MBTA Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston. RSVP required. A light lunch will be provided.

5:30 PM – 8 PM | WELCOME ABOARD THE SUMMIT EXPRESS

Co-sponsored by Hatch

Gather at MBTA’s South Station before embarking on a culinary journey on the Cape Cod Central Railroad.

All times subject to change.

8 AM | We’ll kick off the 2024 Commuter Rail Summit with breakfast and a Welcome to Boston, with MBTA CEO/GM Phil Eng

9 AM | Panel Sessions, Fireside Chats

Noon | Luncheon speaker

1 – 5 PM | Panel Sessions, Fireside Chats

6:15 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION & CHAMPIONS OF COMMUTER RAIL AWARDS DINNER

The evening’s events are sponsored by Keolis Commuter Services

Ease the transition from a full day of programming into the evening’s celebration of this year’s Champions of Commuter Rail. The awardees have been selected, but we’re keeping it hush hush.

All times subject to change.

8:00 AM | We’ll resume the program over breakfast, followed by Panel Sessions and Fireside Chats

Noon | Luncheon Speaker

1:30 – 5 PM | TECHNICAL TOURS

Advance registration required

MBTA NORTH STATION, or MBTA SOUTH STATION (repeated from Monday)

MBTA NORTH STATION

Fare Gates

In October of 2022 Keolis installed fare gates at North Station as part of a robust program dedicated to improving fare collection. Two years later, MBTA has seen a substantial increase in fare collection; projects to install fare gates at Back Bay and South Station are now well underway.

Tour Elements:

• Presentation on how the gates work, their design and lessons learned from the project team

• Recap of public reception and the roll out plan

• Update on their effectiveness

Lynn Temporary Platform

As infrastructure ages, agencies are often faced with the challenges of how to maintain service while undertaking critical repair efforts. The temporary platform at Lynn Station is an example of a quick construction platform that was designed to be built quickly and effectively, using readily available and even recycled construction materials.

Tour Elements:

• Tour the existing temporary platform

• Review the design of the temporary platform

NOTE: this station is only two stops away from Historic Salem Massachusetts and this is a great opportunity to catch a train up to Salem following the tour

Iron Horse Park Dispatch Center

In 2023 the MBTA opened a new dispatch center at Iron Horse Park. This new facility was purpose built specifically for train control operations. This dispatch center is currently home to the Dispatch for MBTA Commuter Rail, which also dispatches the Amtrak Downeaster Service, making it the dispatch center for all major passenger rail in New England North of Boston. Ultimately this site also hopes to house the dispatch operations for CSX and Berkshire & Eastern, meaning that about 2,000 rail miles in New England will be dispatched out of this facility.

Tour Elements:

• Visit the dispatch center in full operation

• Some other historical buildings and destinations

MBTA SOUTH STATION

Air Rights Development Tour

By offering air rights development at South Station, the MBTA has leveraged their considerable real estate asset in Downtown Boston to generate revenue for the agency. The South Station Tower project will include 711,500 gross square feet of office space and more than 166 condominium units.

Tour Elements:

• Tour the current construction site

• Review Tower Plans

MBTA/ Keolis discussion about managing service during construction and the partnership (Rich Murphy)

Centralized Electrification and Traffic Control (CETC) Center Tour

Visit the South Station Dispatch Theater. Shared by the MBTA Commuter Rail (operated by Keolis) and Amtrak, CETC controls not only all train movements between Boston and New Haven Connecticut, it also controls the high speed trains on the North East Corridor via ACSES, and also the electrical loads and electrical distribution associated with the Amtrak electrified train system.

Tour Elements:

• Short presentation on the Northeast Corridor Dispatch and the partnership between the MBTA and Amtrak

• Walk through in small groups of the dispatch center itself while it’s in operation

• Equipment Demonstration on Platform 13

*schedule is subject to modification.

GOLF TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT THE SUMMIT

If you are interested in joining a golf experience in support of student registration at the 2024 Summit, tick the box when you register and the Golf Coordinators will be in touch with details.

Golf Outing – NEW VENUE is Butter Brook Golf Club

If you are interested in joining a golf outing in support of student registration at the 2024 Summit, tick the box when you register and enjoy a lively morning with Mike Noland and Jim Derwinski for a great cause. $285/person includes a box lunch, drink tickets and cart. Tee times start at 9 am.

Limited club rentals are available at Butter Brook so reserve ahead by calling 978-692-6560.

2023 Summit

2022 Summit