Local officials joined hundreds of children and families for sing-alongs and readings of the holiday classic “The Polar Express”

December 16, 2024 (BOSTON) – Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the MBTA’s operating and maintenance partner for the commuter rail, hosted Greater Boston-area children for a festive North Pole Express train ride on Saturday. Wearing pajamas and singing holiday songs, nearly 1,000 children and their families embarked on a journey to the “North Pole” and back as part of a full afternoon of free holiday activities.

At South Station guests were greeted with music and holiday decorations, while children were treated to snacks, gifts and activities, prior to boarding the decorated train. On board, elected officials and community leaders read books and led holiday sing-alongs. The return portion of the trip featured a visit from Santa Claus and his elves. Tickets for this invitation-only event were provided to families served by local nonprofit organizations (see full list below).

“The magic of the holiday season comes alive for youngsters each year during the Polar Express trip,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are grateful to the employees at the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Rail for bringing laughter, joy, and fun into the lives of hundreds of children who embark on our ride to see holiday characters, listen to readers tell heart-warming stories, and be surrounded by seasonal decorations and music. This winter season is about sharing wonderful experiences with others, and a lifetime of memories are made on the Polar Express train trip.”

"The North Pole Express is our way of sharing the spirit of the holiday season with our riders.   As members of the communities we serve, this event brings us tremendous joy to see families take part in this special occasion and especially to see young riders experience the trains in such an enjoyable and memorable way,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “In partnership with Keolis, I’m proud of all the volunteers that help provide this special day for all the families and community members that choose to spend their day with us. On behalf of the T, as we close out 2024, I wish everyone a joyous holiday season. Cheers to 2025!"

“The annual North Pole Express train ride is one of the highlights of the year for Keolis,” said Abdellah Chajai, CEO and General Manager of Keolis Commuter Services. “We’re so grateful to all of the nonprofit organizations and community leaders who join us every year to make this day special for over 1000 local children and families.”

Each coach car featured elected officials and local celebrities as readers of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic “The Polar Express”, including:

• Phil Eng, General Manager of the MBTA
• Abdellah Chajai, CEO of Keolis Commuter Services 
• Ryan Coholan, MBTA Chief Operating Officer  
• Kevin Hayden, District Attorney
• Thomas McGee, Chair, MBTA Board of Directors
• Chanda Smart, MBTA Board of Directors
• State Senator Liz Miranda
• State Representative David Biele
• State Representative Brandy Fluker-Oakley
• State Representative Russell Holmes
• State Representative Chynah Tyler
• Ruthzee Louijeune, President, Boston City Council
• John FitzGerald, Boston City Councilor
• Enrique Pepen, Boston City Councilor
• Marilyn Forman, Co-Chair of Fairmount Indigo Transit Coalition
• Mela Bush, Co-Chair of Fairmount Indigo Transit Coalition
• Jarred Johnson, Executive Director at TransitMatters
• Michael Muller, MBTA Executive Director of Commuter Rail
• Michael Rooks, MBTA Chief Railroad Officer

Keolis organized and sponsored the North Pole Express, working with many local nonprofit organizations to invite families with limited financial means to participate in this invitation-only event. Partnering organizations included:

• South Boston Neighborhood House
• The Home for Little Wanderers
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
• Children’s Friend and Family Services – Salem and Lynn
• Rosie’s Place
• Boys and Girls Club of Lynn
• Horizons for Homeless Children
• Family Independence Initiative
• Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester
• Community Connections of Brockton
• Fairmount indigo Transit Coalition
• Jack and Jill
• Modern Mentor

Keolis Commuter Services has marked its tenth year operating and maintaining the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail system, the sixth largest commuter rail operation in North America. KCS is a subsidiary of Keolis North America (KNA), both headquartered in Boston, and employs approximately 2,500 people throughout the region. KCS and KNA are part of Keolis Group, an innovative global leader in transit services with more than a century of passenger transportation experience and operations in 13 countries.

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