Massachusetts commuter-rail operator improves on-time performance

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) posted contractual on-time performance for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) commuter-rail service of 97.2 percent in April.

The performance was "well above" the 95 percent benchmark set by the MBTA, MBCR officials said in a press release. Contractual on-time performance accounts for factors outside of MBCR's control, such as medical emergencies, shared use of infrastructure with other railroads and weather.

In April, MBCR also recorded 94.64 percent on-time performance as experienced by the rider, which includes delays caused by outside factors. The performance was the highest reported in any month since 2006, and the fourth-highest since July 2003, MBCR officials said.