MBTA signs three-year deal with MBCR

BOSTON. The MBTA Board of Directors officially approved a new three-year contract with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co. to run the commuter rail, a deal that increases fines for late services threefold in some cases.

The MBCR’s current five year, $1.2 billion contract expires at the end of June. The board initially gave approval to the plan to renew MBCR’s services in December, when there were rising concerns over trains being late and poor service.

Last October through December, 30 percent of trains were late. The new deal will increase fines for MBCR from $100 to $300 every time a train is at least five minutes late during peak hours.

But officials say commuter rail service is improving. In May, overall on-time performance had increased to 87.3 percent, according to MBCR spokesman Scott Farmelant.

“The MBTA has been very clear in its directive to MBCR. The T and our loyal customers expect and deserve reliable commuter rail service,” MBCR General Manager James F. O’Leary said in a statement. “Our mission is to build upon recent service improvements and continue to provide consistent on-time performance. MBCR is committed to this effort and will work closely with the MBTA to achieve this objective.”