Governor Healey, MBTA Announce Free South Coast Rail Weekend Service and Parking Through April

Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) have announced free weekend service and parking to celebrate the beginning of South Coast Rail service. The MBTA is on schedule to begin South Coast Rail passenger service the morning of March 24, 2025, pending final FRA approval. This will be the first time the region has had passenger rail service in 65 years. A schedule will be released next week.

"We are so excited to be less than a month away from the launch of South Coast Rail service. This will make it easier for South Coast residents and visitors to move around the state, reduce congestion, support local businesses and spur new housing and economic development," said Governor Maura Healey. "To celebrate the launch and encourage people to try out this new service, we are proud to be offering free weekend travel and free parking throughout March and April."

"South Coast Rail is a gamechanger for the South Coast and our entire state. Our administration is all about making it easier, quicker and more affordable for folks to get where they need to go," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're grateful to General Manager Eng and his team at the T for delivering this major project, and we encourage everyone to check it out and take advantage of free weekend travel and parking."

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding access to public transportation, investing in infrastructure improvements, and furthering the mission of MassDOT to provide safe, reliable and resilient transportation in every corner of the state,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are excited about the beginning of passenger rail service between Fall River, New Bedford, and Boston on March 24 and know that several weeks of free parking and weekend free fares at select properties are just the incentive needed to boost ridership. The new train service and discounts will transform how people travel into the city from communities on the South Coast.”

"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," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "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.”

Free Weekend Service

Fare-free service will be available on South Coast Rail’s Fall River and New Bedford lines for all weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) between March 29 and April 27, and on April 21 (Patriots’ Day). Passengers can ride for free if they are boarding or ending their ride at one of the six South Coast Rail stations.

Riders should share their origin and destination stations with conductors in order to receive free travel. This offer is only valid on the Fall River and New Bedford lines and does not apply to trains on other Commuter Rail lines.

Weekday Fare Information: Regular Commuter Rail Fares Apply

On weekdays, regular Commuter Rail fares are in effect for South Coast Rail. All South Coast Rail stations will be priced in Zone 8. This means that passengers will pay a full fare of $12.25 and a reduced fare of $6 for a one-way ride between Zone 1A to 8.

Other Fare Options:

Weekend/Holiday Pass: Flat $10 weekend and holiday pass fares apply across Commuter Rail stations and zones including South Coast Rail
Monthly Pass (Zone 8): Monthly Zone 8 passes cost $388 full fare / $190 reduced fare. A discount of $10 full fare / $5 reduced fare is available for monthly passes on mTicket.

Free Parking

Commuter Rail parking at the six South Coast rail station lots – Middleborough, East Taunton, Freetown, Church Street, Fall River Depot, and New Bedford – will be free March 24 through the end of day April 31, 2025.

This free parking promotion may end early if South Coast Rail parking lots fill up and spaces become unavailable. Standard parking rates for South Coast Rail stations are $4 per day on weekdays and $2 per day on weekends/holidays.

For more information, visit mbta.com/SouthCoastRail.

See the initial release here.