The fight against climate change is a theme that will be present throughout our operational initiatives. To that end, KCS will be investing with external experts to develop our three-year sustainability plan and decarbonization road map. 

Because the locomotives that comprise the MBTA’s existing fleet are fueled by diesel, practices that reduce fuel consumption are an immediate opportunity on our journey toward a more climate-friendly operation. KCS is currently investing in technology that will be deployed on locomotives and layover facilities to provide the Mechanical team with remote monitoring capabilities. The goal of this investment is to limit locomotive idling to transportation operations and conditions in which it is necessary to perform required inspections and maintenance or to protect the assets during extreme weather conditions. This technology is in the process of being deployed and should be in place for the winter of 2022–2023. 

The manner in which our locomotive engineers operate the trains also can impact fuel consumption. KCS has proposed a cost-sharing program to the MBTA that incentivizes KCS to modify its operating practices in ways that are designed to reduce fuel consumption during normal operation. In the coming months, we will propose to MBTA a new methodology in order to implement this program and begin to reduce the diesel fuel consumption of the MBTA’s rail network. 

KCS had previously explored the possibility of utilizing an alternative, more sustainable fuel source to power our locomotives. At the time, it was determined that the existing technology did not make this a viable alternative. However, in light of recent advancements in this space, the teams will revisit this technology to determine whether fuel alternatives, additives, or emission controls could mitigate the climate impact of existing rolling stock. 

Today, KCS operates over 500 non-revenue cars, trucks, and SUVs in support of the operations.  To further our sustainability efforts, KCS will evaluate and optimize the size of its fleet. While technology is not yet at a point where heavy-duty vehicles can effectively be replaced with electric vehicles, those lighter duty vehicles that are deemed essential present an opportunity to do so. KCS is actively conducting a sustainability assessment with plans to transition a portion of our non-revenue fleet to electric or renewable technology during the next 18 months.  

The railroad industry has historically been reliant on paper, including the forms and records required to document regulatory compliance. Since 2014, KCS has made great strides in shifting toward a paperless environment wherever feasible. In addition to being the first passenger railroad in North America to transition to digital rule books for on-train personnel, KCS continues to identify areas in which an electronic format makes sense and enhances the efficiency of the operation.  In furtherance of its commitment to sustainable operations, we will continue to transition KCS toward a paperless operation. 

KCS is proud to have achieved ISO 14001 (environmental management system) certification status for an increasing number of its facilities since 2014. This reflects our commitment to operating in an environmentally responsible and controlled manner in accordance with internationally recognized standards. During the next three years, we intend to expand the ISO 14001 certification to the remaining locations within our network and maintain it through proper monitoring and recertification audits. 

KCS also plans to leverage our parent company, SNCF, to reduce our use of glyphosate – a common herbicide used for vegetation management. 

Drawing upon local knowledge and the international experience of the Keolis Group, we can provide the MBTA with important thought leadership and advice on long-term capital investments in more sustainable rolling stock and the infrastructure enhancements necessary to support such a shift. We have already begun this important work, providing feedback on options and operating considerations for piloting rolling stock such as Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). MassDOT’s Rail Vision plan has identified a variety of options for the MBTA to consider for its long-term strategic plan, which includes electrification and other sustainable options. Over the next three years, KCS will continue to provide advice and support to the MBTA as it actively considers its path to a sustainable future. 

Finally, another important component within the environmental space is to ensure our operations are resilient to the impacts of climate change that are already in motion. Our network includes a number of low-lying stations, facilities, and related infrastructure that could be affected by severe weather events, flooding, rising sea levels, and erosion. Over the next three years, we will work with the MBTA, MassDOT, and external partners to identify areas of risk and plan capital investments that will mitigate service continuity risks presented by climate change.