MBTA Will Let Riders Vote On Future Train Design

BOSTON (CBS) -- The MBTA is asking the public to help choose a design scheme for 20 new locomotives that will soon be manufactured.

Beginning Tuesday, visitors to www.mbta.com will be presented with three options to choose from.

The online poll will be posted for two weeks.  The design options, which are intended to reflect a new era for the commuter rail, will also be on display at North and South Stations.

"This is an exciting time for Commuter Rail, and we'd like to make our customers a part of it," said MBTA General Manager Richard Davey.  "It's important that customers know that we are making good on our promises of procuring the equipment necessary to deliver safe and reliable service for years to come."

The MBTA is buying a new fleet of 20 diesel-electric passenger locomotives from Motive-Power Incorporated of Boise, Idaho.

This $114 million investment is the MBTA's first major locomotive purchase in over twenty years. The locomotives are being designed and built to operate more efficiently, reducing fuel use and emissions while improving performance and reliability.

"The design for these locomotives represents a new day at the MBTA as we continue to make state transportation more customer-centric," said MassDOT Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Mullan.

The new locomotives are expected to be pulling MBTA Commuter Rail trains in less than two years.