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South Coast Rail isn’t just for getting to and from Boston.
When the MBTA commuter rail extension opens on March 24, you’ll have a new way to reach destinations that are only accessible by car today. Whether you’re interested in a visit to a museum, a college campus, a national historic park or the VA Medical Center, here’s where you can go, and how to get there.
Bridgewater State University
This public university’s undergraduate and graduate programs offer more than 100 areas of study. If you ride the train there, you’ll be in good company — 68% of students are commuters. The university partners with the MBTA to offer discounted passes for students.
When you get off at Bridgewater Station, you’ll step right onto the campus. Free campus shuttle buses can take you to your final destination.
Brockton VA Medical Center
For the first time, veterans in New Bedford will be able to reach a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center on public transit.
To reach the Brockton VA Medical Center, get off at Brockton Station. Brockton Centre, a hub for local buses run by Brockton Area Transit, is just across the street to the east of the train station. Get on the #3 bus, headed for VA Hospital — it’s a 25-minute ride. The route runs from 6:20 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, with buses every half hour during most of the day. BAT fares are currently free.
Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton
This museum displays contemporary, craft-based art. Its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions include woodwork, glass, ceramics, textiles, and other tactile media.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free.
Across the street from Brockton Station, take the fare-free #4A BAT bus headed for Westgate Mall and get off at the Fuller Art Museum stop. The route runs every 25 minutes on weekdays from 6:20 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. On weekends, it runs about every hour starting at 7:20 a.m., with the last bus leaving Brockton Centre at 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Adams National Historical Park in Quincy
See the historic places where President John Adams and several generations of his family lived at the Adams National Historical Park. The park includes the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill (where the second president and his son, sixth President John Quincy Adams, were born), the Old House at Peace field, and the Stone Library.
The grounds are open and free to explore year-round, but the three historic buildings are only open for tours starting in late spring or early summer. A standard entrance pass to see the buildings is $15 per person, and guided tour reservations are $1 per person. More information is available on the National Park Service website.
The visitors’ center at 1250 Hancock St. is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s just across the street to the east of the Quincy Center commuter rail stop.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston
One more stop along the commuter rail line will bring you two centuries forward in presidential history, to the administration of President John F. Kennedy. This library and museum stores Kennedy’s archives and has exhibits chronicling the president’s life.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Regular admission is $18 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, children, and veterans.
Get off the train at JFK/UMass and take the free UMass shuttle bus to the JFK Library stop.
Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org
Great article, thanks! Would love to see recommendations on places to eat & drink as well, i.e. Brockton Beer Company is 3 blocks from the Brockton station.