South Coast Rail opens Fall River–New Bedford commuter service with new East Taunton station

East Taunton Station — Commuter rail service connecting Fall River and New Bedford with Boston began this morning at a ribbon-cutting in Taunton, state and local officials said, marking the return of passenger trains to the South Coast after decades without service.

The launch, attended by Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, opens the Fall River–New Bedford line as part of the South Coast Rail project. Officials and regional leaders described the new service as a boost for transit access, local business and housing opportunities in southeastern Massachusetts.

The new service will offer regular direct trips to Boston, with the MBTA and project partners presenting the schedule and rider benefits at the East Taunton ceremony. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said, "Starting today, we are offering 32 direct trips every 70 minutes between Boston and Fall River and New Bedford," adding that weekend service will run about every two hours. Eng also said the MBTA and contractor Keolis completed more than 1,000 functional safety tests to secure Federal Railroad Administration concurrence before opening the line.

Why it matters: The South Coast Rail launch restores passenger rail service to a region that…