Our Partners

In this spirit, KCS will integrate the collaboration principles set forth in ISO 44001 with the decision-making process for all strategic Commuter Rail network decisions, goal-setting exercises, and risk-assessment and mitigation plans. This approach will further strengthen the relationship and align MBTA and KCS goals and actions. By deploying core ISO principles to the appropriate projects, we look forward to demonstrating its mutual benefits and embedding it further.

Facilitating the MBTA’s State of Good Repair and Transformation initiatives will continue to be an important role for KCS in the coming years, ensuring that we are meeting the MBTA’s expectations for Capital Project support and assisting in their efforts to secure federal funding. Effective capital project delivery mutually benefits both the MBTA and KCS and solidifies the condition of the rail asset for the future.

An important strategic goal for KCS’ long-term plans in Boston is to solidify KCS – both in fact and reputation – as the safe, reliable expert and steward of the MBTA's Commuter Rail Network. In the coming years, we will continue to demonstrate KCS’ value through our refreshed Reimagining and Transforming Rail initiatives. Drawing upon our Boston-based and international experience, we plan to expand our thought leadership profile locally and industry-wide to position KCS as an expert resource for our stakeholders when collectively contemplating ways to introduce integrated mobility solutions and improve the rail network at large.

As part of our revamped Reimagining and Transforming Rail program, KCS continues to deploy a sophisticated, data-driven process to develop future schedules and plan infrastructure investments that will improve both peak service offerings and the move toward a frequent, all-day urban rail model. This workstream will continue to provide efficient solutions and options for the MBTA to meet the goals outlined in the Commonwealth’s Rail Vision Study.

Our core values include the principle of commitment, and the application of that value to our contractual obligation is essential to both our client’s expectations and our own moral imperative. Ensuring that all personnel understand their own performance commitments is essential to delivering on our client’s expectations. It further encourages all parties to focus their attention on efforts that are both constructive and productive. A renewed effort to optimize compliance for all material Operating Agreement provisions will be part of that focus.

Through education and collaboration, we will continue to nurture the voices, boost the influence, and elevate the profiles of all key stakeholders.

The next three years will also see KCS further developing our relationship with the communities that we serve. A specific plan will be developed to identify and deliver new initiatives, ranging from a better understanding of local needs to offers of employment, support for local events and charities, and initiatives in accessibility, diversity, inclusivity, and equality. As a responsible corporate citizen, KCS seeks to embed the commuter rail as a community railway, positioning KCS as an active and responsive partner with the cities we serve.

KCS is committed not only to our current contract, but also to a long-term relationship with the MBTA and the Massachusetts market. Although securing a hard-earned extension is still visible in the rearview mirror, the importance of continually demonstrating the depth of our commitment and added value cannot be understated. In addition to owing as much to our passengers, it is the imagination, caring, and commitment exhibited by KCS every day that will cement our position as the partner of choice when the next contract is ready for procurement.

To this end, KCS will implement a specific organization no later than 2023 to ensure that appropriate time and resources are devoted to comprehensively and professionally preparing for the futur