Press Releases

Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced an updated contract with CRRC to complete manufacturing of the remaining Red and Orange Line cars at the Springfield factory.

“I applaud the MBTA and General Manager Phil Eng for putting forth a plan that will deliver on all fronts for all of Massachusetts: completing manufacturing of the remaining Red and Orange Line cars, while protecting the 400 union jobs at CRRC’s manufacturing plant in Springfield.

“I have been in frequent communication with General Manager Eng, including a meeting in my Springfield office late last year and hosting him for a meeting with the Massachusetts Delegation in Washington, D.C. in February. I had a conversation with him as recently as this month, during which he made clear that the 400 union jobs at the Springfield plant are here to stay. As part of the agreement, the MBTA reserves the right to purchase the Springfield factory should CRRC decide to sell. He also indicated the possibility of adding a second shift to ensure CRRC meets the new timeline outlined in the updated agreement, building upon the success they have seen since October with the delivery of two married pairs every month.

“We all believe in a first-class transportation system for our state capital. However, for many years, residents of western and central Massachusetts have footed the bill for the MBTA, paying one cent of the state sales tax towards a benefit they rarely reap. This agreement positions CRRC to fulfill the contract while reaffirming what I have called for from the very beginning: ensuring the protection of these good-paying union jobs for western Massachusetts.

“I look forward to welcoming General Manager Eng back to Springfield in the near future to visit CRRC and further discuss the progress being made.”

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