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Taking the commuter rail from the South Coast to Boston will be much more affordable this summer, thanks to fare promotions the MBTA is running from June through August. But train service will be limited for New Bedford riders for nearly a month because of the FIFA World Cup.
The commuter rail will be free to ride on Fridays all summer. Monthly passes are half-off, and monthly passholders can also bring a companion for just $1 on the weekends.
State transportation officials say they’re offering the fare promotions, which apply on all regular commuter rail lines, in anticipation of a busy summer travel season, with the World Cup and the nation’s 250th anniversary coming up. You can find all the details on the MBTA’s summer promotions page.
Reduced schedules for New Bedford riders
This summer, it’s especially important to double-check the timetables for any days you plan to travel, because the World Cup will have impacts across the commuter rail network.
The Fall River/New Bedford Line will follow a reduced schedule from June 8 to July 12, with a separate reduced schedule for match days (June 13, 14, 16, 19, 23, 26, and 29, and July 9). There will be no shuttle trains to fill in service south of East Taunton.
On the bright side: A monthly mTicket pass between New Bedford and Boston is normally $378, but during the promotion, that pass is only $189. You would typically need to take 16 weekday round trips a month to make that monthly pass worth the price. This summer, you’ll break even on a monthly pass after just eight weekday round trips.
As part of the summer promotions, a monthly pass for any zone will be valid for all zones on the weekends. So, if you use an “interzone 5” monthly pass to commute to Brockton, you’ll be able to use your pass to go all the way to Boston on the weekends at no extra cost.
If you’re buying your tickets one trip at a time, one-way fares from New Bedford to Boston will still be $12.25, except for on this summer’s fare-free Fridays. Weekend passes, which offer unlimited rides for a single Saturday and Sunday, are still $10.
The fastest and cheapest way to get a half-off monthly pass is by using the MBTA’s mTicket phone app. You can find more information on paying MBTA fares in The Light’s guide.
Where to go on the commuter rail this summer
This year is the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Massachusetts will be celebrating with events around the state.
Check the Massachusetts 250 website to see what’s coming up. For the 251st anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, the National Park Service is holding a remembrance ceremony at the Charlestown monument. A free Juneteenth gathering in Cambridge on June 14 will include poetry, music, and other family activities. On July 7, you’re invited to Copley Square in Boston to hand-write the Declaration of Independence.
Dozens of tall ships from around the world will visit Boston Harbor from July 11 to 16 for Sail Boston. The visit kicks off with a boat parade and fireworks. The ships will dock in spots around the city and open for free tours.
Seven World Cup matches will take place at Gillette Stadium, temporarily renamed Boston Stadium, in June and July. People with tickets to a match can buy an $80 Boston Stadium Train pass — but if you’re traveling from New Bedford, you’ll have to take the commuter rail to South Station first. Transit options from Providence may offer a more direct route from the South Coast.
Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org
