Skip to Content
Streetsblog Massachusetts home
Streetsblog Massachusetts home
Log In
MBTA

First Week of South Coast Rail Service Will Be Fare-Free

An empty commuter rail platform with a shade canopy overhead. A sign under the canopy reads "NEW BEDFORD" in white text on a purple background. To the right are four sets of railroad tracks leading into the distance.

The New Bedford commuter rail station, pictured in spring 2024 while the MBTA’s South Coast Rail project was still under construction. Courtesy of the MBTA.

The MBTA's new New Bedford/Fall River regional rail line, which opens next Monday morning, will offer fare-free service from opening day until the end of March, and will continue to offer fare-free rides every weekend in April.

For other times, the T has also started selling tickets for the Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Rail Line on its mTicket mobile ticketing app.

"We are so excited to be on the South Coast on Monday to celebrate the launch of rail service for these communities,” said Governor Maura Healey in a press statement issued Thursday morning. “We’re proud to now be offering free service all day, every day on the Fall River/New Bedford Line through the end of March to express our gratitude to the community, and encourage residents to take the train.” 

Governor Healey and senior officials from her administration are also planning to visit the south coast on Monday morning to celebrate the new transit line's grand opening.

Governor Healey and General Manager Eng plan to ride the northbound 10:38 a.m. train from Fall River to East Taunton, where they'll meet Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and MassDOT Secretary Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, who plan to catch the 10:43 a.m. train from New Bedford.

At the new East Taunton station, the administration will host a celebratory press conference at 11:30 a.m.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Massachusetts

Rep. Pressley Lobbies for Stronger Transit Funding, Fare-Free Programs In Next Federal Transportation Bill

"We urge you to invest in public transit as a public good," writes Rep. Pressley to her colleagues in Congress.

December 5, 2025

Boston Data Show New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes

Mayor Wu has hard evidence that her bike lane projects are helping reduce traffic – but her administration is reluctant to share it.

December 5, 2025

Family Sues State Police Over Death of ‘Matriarch’ Killed In Brookline Crosswalk

A Mass. State Police trooper drove into Margie Mendez, 86, in a crosswalk on Route 9 earlier this year.

December 4, 2025

Driver Kills Rockport Man In Downtown Gloucester

According to the Essex County District Attorney's office, the killing occurred in the dark shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning near the intersection of Rogers Street and Manuel F. Lewis Street.

December 3, 2025

Grinch Line: MBTA Will Close the Core of the Green Line For the Holiday Season

From December 8 through December 22, the MBTA will suspend all Green Line service between North Station and Kenmore Square.

December 3, 2025
See all posts