Current MBTA commuter rail operator, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co, asked a judge to block the multi-billion dollar contract awarded to French firm Keolis, which is scheduled to take over operations in summer.

MBCR’s filings with Suffolk County Superior Court accuse Keolis, which was awarded a 12-year (eight guaranteed), $4.26 billion contract commuter rail operating contract last January, of misrepresenting its record in France, omitting mandatory security plans, and providing an unrealistic operating cost on its application.

“The MBTA ignored its fundamental responsibility to provide a level playing field to both bidders and overlooked obvious deficiencies that allowed SNCF/Keolis to stay in the bid process,” Alan Moldawer, an attorney for MBCRC, told Reuters.

Keolis’ contract was unanimously approved by the MassDOT Board of Directors in January, after a recommendation from MBTA GM Bev Scott to award the contract to the firm.

MBCR has been the T’s commuter rail operator since 2003. In late June, its 4.51 billion contract will expire.

Creative Commons Image/Flickr Derek Yu