BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has released the initial schedule for the South Coast Rail service to New Bedford and Fall River, Mass., set to begin on March 24. The debut of the new operation will feature free weekend travel and free parking through the end of April, the MBTA announced last week.
The MBTA announced a launch date for the service last month [see “MBTA announces March 24 date …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 7, 2025]. The start date for service extending the current Middleborough/Lakeville Line is subject to final approval by the Federal Railroad Administration.
The weekday schedule calls for 29 inbound trains — 14 from New Bedford and 15 from Fall River; several of the Fall River trains will be shuttles to East Taunton, where passengers can transfer to New Bedford trains. In all, 16 trains will run the full route to Boston’s South Station. There will also be 16 outbound trains from Boston, with 15 trains serving New Bedford and 15 to Fall River thanks to shuttle service between East Taunton and Fall River. Weekend service will see 13 trains to and from Boston. The full schedule is available here.
The free introductory service will be good on Saturdays and Sundays between March 29 and April 27, as well as on the Patriots’ Day holiday April 21. Passengers can ride free if the begin or end their trip at one of the six new South Coast Rail stations: Middleborough, East Taunton, Freetown, Fall River Depot, Church Street, or New Bedford. Free parking will be good all days — weekday and weekend — at those six stations from March 24 through the end of the day on April 30. The free parking promotion may end early if lots fill up and spaces become unavailable; standard parking rates will be $4 on weekdays and $2 on weekends.
“The MBTA is proud to bring rail service to the Southeastern communities after 65 years, offering new and exciting opportunities for residents and visitors in this region,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said in a Feb. 26 press release. “Providing free weekend service and parking through April is something we are pleased to offer riders to encourage more people to experience the convenience of this valuable transportation expansion. We will continue to invest in the Commonwealth’s communities and provide mass transportation service that the public deserves and expects.”
The schedule is a bit short of ideal — changing trains at East Taunton after 1:00 AM, and the five to eight minutes lost at East Taunton for transfer. That said, it’s a far better schedule than we have seen elsewhere. People need to realize that a commuter “service” consisting of a handful of trains weekdays – and none on holidays or weekends — is a waste of oxygen. (As in Minnesota.)
The indirect route and the lack of service to Back Bay Station are unfortunate realities. Nothing can be done about it either until the missing link Stoughton to Taunton is restored, which from the map is no small distance. The Commonwaelth shot itself in the foot by requiring that the missing link, when/ if restored, be electrified.