BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In the midst of public outrage surrounding the MBTA, the transit system is taking a step forward with the anticipated rollout of new Orange Line trains this summer.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Karyn Regal took a ride on one of the new trains during a safety run and saw what's coming.
The new trains are quiet, and offer a smooth ride, unlike the decades old trains that are used on the Orange Line today.
Trainer Tom Mills compared them to Cadillacs.
“We have what are called air springs," Mills said. "They essentially act as rubber cushions that soften the ride of the train."
The line is seeing a wave of new technology, including automated announcements and screens that show where a rider is and what stop is next.
The trains also have new safety features. Passengers have access to an operator alert button. The train operator has two monitors of inside the train they can watch from, with the ability to record any altercation.
Mills said he would miss the old train cars that he rode on as a kid but said, “These are going to be new memories for a lot of new kids, and the passengers deserve new trains.”
The new trains are not quite ready for release, as software is still being tested.
The entire Orange and Red Lines are due to be replaced over the next five years.
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WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports