MASSACHUSETTS Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR), which has operated Boston's commuter rail network since July 2003, is seeking an injunction to prevent Keolis Commuter Services from taking over in July, alleging numerous deficiencies during the 30-month procurement process which it claims violate state bidding laws.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced on January 8 that it planned to award an eight-year operation and maintenance contract to Keolis worth $US 2.6bn with two, two-year options. MBTA said Keolis' 12-year price of $US 4.26bn was $US 254m lower than MBCR's price of $US 4.51bn. MBCR was the only other bidder. The contract was confirmed on March 6 despite MBTA receiving a formal protest from MBCR which says the deficiencies and mistakes were discovered in documents made public by MBTA following public record requests.
