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Mass. officials mark return of South Coast Rail service with Taunton station opening
Summary
State and regional leaders gathered in Taunton to celebrate the start of commuter rail service linking Fall River and New Bedford to Boston, highlighting economic development, transit-oriented housing, and a temporary fare-free period.
Taunton Mayor Shawna O'Connell and state officials on Saturday celebrated the opening of the new East Taunton station and the return of South Coast commuter rail service connecting Fall River and New Bedford with Boston after decades without passenger trains.
The ceremony featured Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits‑Nutt, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and regional transit and business leaders, who described the line as an economic development and mobility milestone for southeastern Massachusetts.
"After 67 years, we got here on South Coast Rail," Governor Maura Healey said, thanking local officials, legislators and members of the MBTA and MassDOT teams who worked on the project. She framed the service as part of a broader state transportation plan and a tool for expanding housing and job access across communities served by the line.
The administration and MBTA emphasized practical details of the new service: Phil Eng said the MBTA will run 32 direct trips between Boston and Fall River and New Bedford on weekdays and operate about 26 trips on weekends, and that stations on the line are fully accessible. Eng also said the MBTA and operating partners completed more than 1,000 functional safety tests to certify operations.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said the rail link will create tourism and event access as well as daily commuting options, calling the event "more than just your typical ribbon cutting ceremony." Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits‑Nutt described rail as "much more than a ride," saying it is "a symbol of access" that shapes jobs, school access, health care access and local economies.
Officials noted a temporary fare program tied to the launch: fares are free through the end of the month for the launch period, and weekend rides will be free through April, enabling residents to try the service. Regional transit authorities will continue to provide first‑ and last‑mile connections to stations, officials said.
Local business and regional leaders framed the rail link as a catalyst for transit‑oriented development and workforce connections. Michael Sullivan, identified at the ceremony as CEO of the regional chamber, and Mary Ellen DeFries of the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority highlighted opportunities for housing and for bringing customers from Boston to South Coast businesses.
The opening was proclaimed "South Coast Rail Week" in Massachusetts during the event. Speakers repeatedly credited long‑running local advocacy, multiple administrations, MassDOT, the MBTA, operating partners and federal partners for bringing the project to service.
No formal votes or legislative actions occurred at the ceremony; remarks and a proclamation marked the service launch. Officials encouraged residents to plan trips and to use the fare‑free launch period to test the new commuter options.
