Indigo Line

The Indigo Line was a proposed service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority that would have incorporated parts of the former Grand Junction Railroad, the Seaport District's Track 61, a spur to the Riverside station and other MBTA Commuter Rail lines. Although it has been talked about for years, mostly in relation to the Fairmount Line, the line was formally proposed in 2014 when the MBTA released its five-year capital plan. According to the "MBTA Vision for 2024" proposal, the line would operate diesel multiple units for its rolling stock and would be fully operational in that year.[1][2] The proposed 2014 state budget included funds to purchase DMU railcars and the state issued a request for proposals to purchase 30 DMUs with deliveries starting in 2018; however, the project was officially canceled by the Baker administration in 2016.[3][4]

Indigo Line
The Fairmount Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system was one of several rail lines considered for Indigo Line service in 2014.
Overview
StatusIndefinitely postponed
OwnerMBTA
LocaleGreater Boston
Service
TypeRapid Transit / Regional Rail
SystemMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Operator(s)MBTA
Rolling stockDiesel Multiple Units (Procurement canceled 2016)
History
OpenedProposed 2024 (Canceled)
Technical
CharacterSurface-level
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Indigo Line proposal was revived in 2023 within both Senate and House versions of a bill that would mandate the conversion of the MBTA's Fairmount Line to fully electrified light-metro operations by 2029 in order to effectively integrate the line with the MBTA’s rapid transit network under the Indigo Line banner.[5][6] The 2023 legislation diverges from a previous MBTA proposal from 2022 that suggested the procurement of battery multiple units for the Fairmount Line as opposed to full electrification.[7] The legislation was included in a Joint Committee on Transportation hearing on May 8, 2023, and has not been formally proposed as a MBTA project.[8]

Background

The term "Indigo Line" dates back to the creation of the Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative, which proposed transforming the Fairmount Line into a rapid transit commuter rail hybrid line.[9] Most of the infill stations proposed by the initiative have been built, with one more planned; however, the line still uses conventional commuter rail equipment.

Indigo lines under consideration
The Nippon Sharyo DMU is proposed for Indigo service

The MBTA Vision for 2024 map shows six possible lines for Indigo DMU service:

The Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit purchase of Nippon Sharyo DMU trains in 2010 included an option for 18 cars to be provided to the MBTA for the Indigo Line service.[10]

The Indigo Line has since been indefinitely postponed.[11]

References
  1. Annear, Steve (January 9, 2014). "Take A Ride On The MBTA's 'New Indigo Line' In 2024". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  2. Quinn, Garrett (January 10, 2014). "MassDOT five-year plan includes introduction of Indigo Line, extension of Green Line". Springfield Republican. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  3. "Governor Patrick Announces Fairmount Line Service Upgrades". MassDOT Blog (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. October 16, 2014.
  4. "Fairmount line setback: No DMUs says MBTA". The Bay State Banner. February 10, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  5. "Bill H.3315: An Act improving rail service on the Fairmount commuter rail line". The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  6. "Bill S.2271: An Act improving rail service on the Fairmount commuter rail line". The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  7. Sawers, Alistar (June 23, 2022). "Regional Rail Transformation Update: Traction Power Planning for Regional and Urban Rail Services" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  8. "Today: State House Transportation Committee to Discuss East-West Rail, T Oversight". StreetsblogMASS. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  9. "HISTORY OF THE FAIRMOUNT LINE". Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  10. "WES Ridership and Fleet Requirements" (PDF). April 9, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  11. "'Indigo Line' advocates keep pushing for a switch from commuter line to rapid transit".
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