In March 1998, car numbers 3800 to 3802 were delivered to the MBTA and began testing on the Riverside branch the following summer.

The maintenance issues experienced by Type 8 Vehicles delayed the retirement of the Boeing LRVs by several years.

In October 2016, the Boston Globe reported that the MBTA Green Line had the most derailments in the nation due to the Type 8.

Features include automated announcements, next stop signs, 75% low floor accessibility for wheelchairs, and white interior walls.

[2] Like the rest of the MBTA system, the pre-recorded announcements were made by the voice of Frank Oglesby, Jr.

These cars use similar traction motors to those used in the New York City Subway's R142A, R188 and R143 trains, as well as the original fleet (CQ31x) of the MARTA rail network in Atlanta.