There is provided a control system for a powertrain system including an electro-mechanical transmission that is selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes. The control system is adapted to execute the following steps in the sequence set forth as follows. A preferred operating range state is selected. A shift and an engine start/stop operation are selectively executed to achieve the preferred operating range state. A commanded input torque from the internal combustion engine is determined. Commanded output torques of the first and second electrical machines are determined.