The future of commuter rail could be taking shape in Boston

Marvin Martin noticed the commuter train on the Fairmount Line seemed to bypass communities of color, prompting him to pressure the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (T) to expand service. In 1995, he and others began pushing for the T to add stops in Dorchester and Mattapan, and in 2012 and 2019, respectively. Martin also advocated for electrifying the line, citing concerns over air pollution from diesel trains.

The T plans to lease seven battery-powered trains, each with four cars, for 15 years, beginning in 2030. These trains will boost service frequency, reduce carbon emissions, and eliminate the need for overhead power lines. However, some question the technology's suitability for high-ridership lines like the Fairmount. Boston has a history with electric rail, including its first electric streetcar in 1889 and the Tremont Street Subway, the first electric subway in North America.

The T's plans mark a return to electrification, which was once common in urban systems but later abandoned due to the growth of suburbs and the perceived infallibility of steam and diesel power.