MBTA Receives $1 Billion Funding as Agency Tackles Storm Damage, World Cup Prep

From upgrading infrastructure to preparing for the FIFA World Cup, the MBTA has big goals for this year. Those plans have gotten a significant boost thanks to more than $1 billion of incoming funds directed to supporting the transit agency in what is certain to be a significant year of operations.

MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said that the first order of business, though, is addressing issues with old Red Line cars following the late January winter storm that caused significant transportation problems for the T. Eng told NBC10 Boston that new cars from the Springfield, Massachusetts, plant have been delayed after customs agents seized the parts for the cars. He hopes that the issue will be resolved this year.

In addition to addressing the damage, the MBTA is also working to curb fare evasion. He said since enforcement teams started last September, there's been a 30% boost in revenue at the specific stations where the teams are deployed.

New fare gates installed at South Station in late December 2025, which cost $3 million, have not gotten off the ground smoothly. NBC10 reported that Keolis, the company that operates the Commuter Rail, had to take the gates out of service due to the snow and the cold. Eng said Keolis remains committed to collecting fares on the trains until the fare gates have been restored to service.

The MBTA is also preparing for FIFA World Cup-related traffic, including a major upgrade at Foxboro Station to accommodate large crowds.

In the midst of all this work, Eng continues to serve as the interim MassDOT transportation secretary. If offered, Eng said he would keep both of his jobs.

"I enjoy doing both roles," he told NBC10. "If it's offered, yes, I'd keep both."