South Coast Rail
The South Coast Rail project extends service on the current Middleborough/Lakeville Line to Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River. The line will be renamed the Fall River/New Bedford Line when service begins.
For the first time in 65 years, cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts will have passenger rail service.
Status: Service starts Monday, March 24, 2025, at six new stations on the Fall River/New Bedford Line, pending final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Read our press release about the start of service
Jump to a section:
- About This Project
- New Stations
- Schedules
- Fares
- Bikes on the Train
- Safety First Program
- Construction Timeline
- Related Resources
- Stay Informed
Stay Safe Near Tracks and Railroad Crossings
We're running qualification trains on the South Coast Rail that prepare crews for service on the Fall River/New Bedford Line. Trains are operating at speeds of up to 79 miles per hour.
The FRA has certified trains to operate and has authorized the MBTA to run qualification trains at the maximum speed.
Watch a video of trains on the South Coast Rail
Stay safe near tracks and remember:
- Practice caution when crossing the tracks. This applies to residents, pedestrians, and drivers.
- Don’t walk on or along the tracks. It’s both illegal and life-threatening.
To report a problem with a railroad crossing:
- Look for the rectangular blue sign with white text posted at the crossing.
- Call the number listed on the sign.
View the related resources section to learn more about train safety
About This Project
The South Coast Rail project will offer a reliable transit connection between southeastern Massachusetts and Boston. Riders will be able to take a one-seat trip for the first time since the late 1950s.
The project creates connections between Boston and the communities of Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River, the only three major cities within 50 miles of Boston that previously didn’t have Commuter Rail access.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
New Stations
View a full map of the Fall River/New Bedford Line
There are six new stations on the Fall River/New Bedford Line:
- Middleborough
- This is a new location that replaces the current Middleborough/Lakeville station.
- East Taunton
- Freetown
- Fall River Depot
- Church Street
- New Bedford
Note: Parking at the six new stations will be free all day, March 24 – April 30, 2025. Regular daily rates apply starting May 1, 2025.
Changes to Middleborough/Lakeville Station
Starting March 24, 2025, the current Middleborough/Lakeville station will be renamed Lakeville station. Lakeville station will only serve the seasonal CapeFLYER.
Regular service on the Fall River/New Bedford Line will move to the new Middleborough station.
New to Commuter Rail?
Check out our beginner's guide and learn how to pay your fare, navigate stations, board trains, and plan accessible trips.
Schedules
On weekdays, trains will run every 70 minutes. There will be 32 direct trips to or from South Station including:
- 15 trips between South Station and Fall River
- 17 trips between South Station and New Bedford
On weekends, there will be 26 total trips with trains running every two hours.
View the Fall River/New Bedford Line schedule
Check alerts for the Fall River/New Bedford Line
Scheduled Transfers at East Taunton Station
In addition to the 32 direct trips to or from South Station on weekdays, we'll operate connecting trains between:
- Fall River Depot and East Taunton station
- New Bedford station and East Taunton station
Riders can transfer between connecting trains and direct trains at East Taunton station where the Fall River and New Bedford branches meet. This means riders on both branches can access more trips to or from South Station throughout the weekday.
For example, riders going between New Bedford and South Station can get to their destination even if the next direct trip is between Fall River and South Station:
We've coordinated train schedules to ensure that riders always have enough time to transfer at East Taunton.
Fares
All six new stations on the Fall River/New Bedford Line are in Zone 8 of Commuter Rail fare zones. Full fares to or from South Station will be $12.25 each way, and a reduced fare will be $6.00.
Learn how to pay your fare on Commuter Rail
Weekend Commuter Rail passes are also available for $10, and allow for unlimited travel on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays.
Learn more about $10 Commuter Rail weekends
Note: Every weekend between March 29 and April 27, 2025, fares will be free for travel to or from any of the six new stations. Fares will also be free on Patriots' Day on April 21, 2025.
Bikes on the Train
During regular service, bikes are allowed on Fall River/New Bedford trains at all times.
On some holidays, bikes may not be allowed on the Commuter Rail. Riders should check holiday service schedules for more information.
Safety First Program
Safety First is a program that educates people on how to stay safe around train tracks. Our goal is to bring an understanding of safety rules to all residents in every Southeastern Massachusetts city and town.
Through presentations, brochures, videos, meetings, and conversations, you’ll learn safety basics. You can watch and share our Safety Video Series developed for children, teens, and the general public to learn about the importance of safety for everyone throughout the region.
As we near service, we're sharing these and other safety basics with schools, libraries, organizations, and neighborhoods. In the meantime, watch our safety videos, and please think Safety First.
For more information or to request a presentation, send us an email at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us with “Safety First” in the subject line.
Download a Safety First fact sheet (PDF, 926 KB)
Construction Timeline
South Coast Rail is being built in phases:
- Phase 1: Extends the current Middleborough/Lakeville Line, which will be renamed the Fall River/New Bedford Line. Construction is complete and service starts March 24, 2025.
- Full Build: Extends the Stoughton Line south to connect more communities to the Fall River/New Bedford Line.
Our crews completed early action work in fall 2020 in preparation for Phase 1 construction:
- Replaced four railroad bridges
- Installed 46 culverts as part of the drainage system
- Ordered and stored long-lead special track materials in advance to reduce construction delays
- Constructed five wetland mitigation areas and began monitoring their success
In October 2019, the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved the purchase of 16 bi-level coaches to meet the needs of the South Coast Rail project. The refurbishment of two locomotives required for South Coast Rail service is also complete. As of summer 2023, these vehicles are part of the state's commuter rail system inventory.
The Completed Freetown Station during the ribbon-cutting event celebrating the substantial completion of the Fall River Secondary Line contract (December 2022) - The Fall River Secondary Line extends to Fall River through Freetown and Taunton, providing direct service between Fall River and Boston. This new Commuter Rail line includes two stations in Freetown and Fall River, and a layover facility at Weaver’s Cove in Fall River. We completed construction at the end of 2024.
Completed Work
Crews reconstructed 12.1 miles of the Fall River Secondary Line, which was previously a freight line, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. Work also included tree clearing, erosion control, and survey work along the tracks. The tracks were reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region.
Construction included the following:
- Nine rail bridges
- 10 new grade crossings and four interlockings
- Two new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
Trains on the completed Fall River Secondary Line travel through Berkley, Freetown, and Fall River.
- Contract Awarded: August 24, 2020
- Construction completion: Spring 2025
- Budget: $403.5 million
- Status: Complete
The Middleborough Secondary Line extends from Middleborough through Taunton and into New Bedford to provide direct service between New Bedford and Boston.
The new Commuter Rail line includes four stations and a layover facility adjacent to the existing one in Wamsutta.
Completed Work
Crews reconstructed 24.1 miles of Middleborough Secondary and the New Bedford Main lines, which are currently active freight lines, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The right-of-way (ROW) was also reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region.
Construction included:
- Six rail bridges, constructed to meet state-of-good-repair guidelines
- 18 grade crossings and 14 interlockings
- Four new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
- Signal systems and positive train control (PTC) for the entire Phase 1 corridor
Work took place in Middleborough, Taunton, Lakeville, Freetown, and New Bedford. Testing for the entire South Coast Rail occurred under this contract.
Work has been completed on the Fall River Secondary Line to overlay signals and communications.
See a map of the Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford lines
Related Resources
Recent Updates
Past Events
Photo Gallery
East Taunton station, the largest in the South Coast Rail system (July 2024)
New Bedford pedestrian bridge under construction (November 2024)
East Taunton platform (July 2024)
East Taunton station (July 2024)
The new Church Street station in north New Bedford (June 2024)
Enhanced road crossing on South Coast Rail to alert drivers to the importance of safety barriers (December 2024)
Platform at New Bedford station (September 2024)
Accessible ramp at East Taunton station (September 2024)
Construction on the new East Taunton station and platform elevators (April 2024)
Construction workers meeting at a construction site at New Bedford station
Construction on the East Taunton platform and view of its ramp entrance to the platform (April 2024)
New parking lot at New Bedford station for riders with disabilities (April 2024)
Parking area for electric vehicles at New Bedford station (April 2024)
Newly constructed Fall River station platform (December 2022)
Construction workers and a close up view of piping materials at the New Bedford construction site
Commuter Rail coach at Freetown Station during the ribbon-cutting event celebrating the substantial completion of the Fall River Secondary Line contract (December 2022)
Front entrance of the Fall River station (December 2022)
Stay Informed
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Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
New to Commuter Rail?
Check out our beginner's guide and learn how to pay your fare, navigate stations, board trains, and plan accessible trips.