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South Coast Rail is getting ready to clear its final hurdle before passenger service can begin.
Last week, the MBTA asked the Federal Railroad Administration for permission to begin the final testing stage, known as “simulated service.” That means the agency will run trains at full speed, stopping and opening the doors at each station. When federal regulators are satisfied, trains can finally start carrying passengers along the route.
The new commuter rail extension is still on track to open this spring, an MBTA spokesperson said on Friday.
Officials will share more information at two upcoming community meetings. One will be held at the Dartmouth North Branch Library on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. The other will be held at Freetown Elementary School on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
The project has been delayed for decades, including as recently as last spring. But testing has been on-schedule since MBTA General Manager Phil Eng hired a new project manager and announced a May 2025 launch date last summer.
Extensive testing is complete on the advanced safety systems that prevent trains from colliding or derailing, the agency spokesperson said. On Jan. 6, the MBTA handed operations over to Keolis, the company that contracts with the agency to operate its commuter rail network. Crew qualifications are now underway.
The 90-day simulated service phase can begin as soon as the Federal Railroad Administration approves the MBTA’s submitted plans.
After the project gets federal approval, passengers in New Bedford will be able to take a 90-minute train ride to Boston’s South Station. The city has two newly completed stations near downtown and in the North End. Fall River, Freetown, and Taunton are also on the new route, which connects to the existing Middleborough line.
Official schedules have not been released, but the MBTA has confirmed that there will be weekend service. Trains will run about every 70 minutes on weekdays and about every 120 minutes on weekends.
A trip from New Bedford Station to South Station will be $12.25 each way, while reduced fares for certain riders will be $6.
Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org
Great new! My husband and I’ve rode Amtrak 15 round trip times to Florida. Great new way to get to Boston, not only for medical but for Lawyers. Yahoo!
A REGIONAL Marine Transportation system will replace the obsolete Steamship Authority and provide direct service connecting Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard with the South Coast Rail.
I’m glad it is finally going ahead soon. I have often ridden on the Commuter Rail from Lakeville/Middleboro. The New Bedford route will take a little shorter time to drive from where I live so I’ll be definitely taking it to Boston most of the time.