For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Entry posted by Stalliongrad November 28, 2015

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Simply known as the "T" by locals, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the 4th largest transit network in the United States, averaging 1.3 million trips every weekday nearly 33% of people in the Boston area commute with public transportation.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority New Flyer Xcelsior XN40

Type: Public, Semi-Political Subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Union Representation: All MBTA Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 589

Fleet Size: 1,060 Low Floor Transit Buses, 125 Heavy Locomotives

Routes: 178 Bus Routes, 11 Commuter Heavy Rail Lines, 3 Subway Lines, 5 Ferry Boat Routes shipping from 9 Terminals

Manufacturer And Powerplant: The MBTA recently signed a $222 Million agreement with New Flyer of Canada to provide additional Xcelsior Buses to phase out older Orion, NABI and Neoplan models. The MBTA is the second largest consumer of Compressed Natural Gas in Massachusetts. The MBTA is attempting to go diesel free opting for the Xcelsior XN40 CNG Variant from New Flyer. Although some XDE Models are in service.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40

Fare Collection: The Contactless Card Payment System in Boston is known as CharlieCard. It is named after a folk song called "Charlie on the MTA" (When the MBTA was still known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority). The Song refers to a man named Charlie who is trapped on the MTA system because he cannot pay the 5 Cent surcharge required to exit the station. It is valid on MBTA Buses and Subway but not on commuter rail or ferries.

MBTA CharlieCard

Livery: MBTA Transit Buses host 4 tier paintwork working from the bottom up with Gray. Black, Yellow and Blue Stripes on a White Backdrop. MBTA Commuter Rail Locomotives are notable among rail fans because of their Magenta, Gray and Yellow Paint.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority NovaBus Rapid Transit Series

Innovations: Along with SEPTA, the MBTA is one of only 2 Transit Agencies in the United States known to operate all 5 of the most common types of rapid public transport. Bus, Subway, Heavy Commuter Rail. Light Rail and Watercraft. The T Symbol was adopted in 1960 and was inspired by the same logo used by the Stockholm Metro in Sweden. Its simplistic nature was thought to help people find the train quicker.