A train from Brockton to New Bedford and Fall River? What to know about South Coast Rail
BROCKTON — Do you live in the Brockton area and take the train to work? It's time to plan for changes. If you don't already take the train, new routes and increased service might make it worth a look.
Starting Monday, March 24, South Coast Rail brings train travel back to areas of Southeastern Massachusetts for the first time in 65 years. You'll be able to reach Taunton, Freetown, Fall River and New Bedford.
If you take the commuter rail now, be aware of schedule changes. Many of them are matters of minutes. But minutes count, as anyone who has missed their morning train or had to wait 90 minutes for the next train home knows.
For instance, the first weekday train leaves Brockton Station at 5:22 a.m. and arrives at South Station in 39 minutes. The same trip on the old schedule was a 5:11 a.m. departure and arrival at South Station in 42 minutes. You'll want to take a close look at the new schedule and adjust your routine.
The new schedule means more trains serve Brockton's three commuter rail stops each weekday, boosting the total weekday trips to 16. On the weekend, there will be 13 trains, up from the current 10.
There are a few name changes that come with the restoration. The line now known as Middleboro/Lakeville will be renamed the Fall River/New Bedford Line, for instance. Also, the Middleboro/Lakeville station will be called simply Lakeville now that there's a separate Middleboro station.
If you're curious about the commuter rail, you'll be able to ride for free on spring weekends if you board at one of the six South Coast Rail stations or end your ride there: Fall River Depot, Freetown, East Taunton, Middleboro (on the Fall River Line) plus New Bedford and Church Street (on the New Bedford Line.) The promotion runs on weekends March 29 through April 27. The MBTA will also let you ride to and from those stations for free on Patriots' Day. Just tell the conductor which station you came from and where you're going. The T is making parking free too on those weekends, but expect spaces to fill quickly.
Restoring passenger rail to the area has been in the works since 1991.
'We deeply appreciate the public's patience, the collaboration of local officials, and the dedication of our employees and contractors, all of whom made this milestone possible," Transportation Secretary and Massachusetts Department of Transportation CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in an announcement of the new schedule.
"With service beginning on March 24, thousands of cars will come off the roads, and thousands of people will experience the convenience and benefits of public transportation firsthand.'
Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: What South Coast Rail means for Brockton: Free weekends, new routes
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