MBTA to extend commuter rail service hours for fall, winter

Local News

Nearly all lines will have their hours extended, and for many stations peak service will be added.

MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services announced a new fall/winter schedule for the commuter rail, effective Oct. 2, which they say will offer more consistent service throughout the day and extend late-night service on weekdays and weekends. 

Keolis Commuter Services is the MBTA operating partner for the commuter rail. 

“We understand how the availability of mass transportation options affects how our riders choose to travel. This fall schedule balances the needs of our customers that rely on Commuter Rail for work, but also now better serves the public with additional late-night trains,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng in a release.

Nearly all lines will have their hours extended. The Providence/Stoughton Line’s last train will depart 55 minutes later than in the past, leaving South Station at 11:55 p.m.

For the Lowell, Fitchburg, Franklin, and Worcester lines, peak service will be added to meet increased demand, with the intention of reducing crowding and wait times.

Inbound Lowell Line passengers will now have trains available to them every 35 minutes or less between 6:25 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. Between 3:55 p.m and 6:20 p.m., there will be an outbound train every 30 to 40 minutes. 

Fitchburg passengers can look forward to a new express train between South Acton and Porter Square. An entirely new schedule for the Franklin and Foxboro lines will have increased Franklin service for the morning and afternoon peaks.

Heart-To-Hub  passengers on the Worcester Line will now make all stops between Worcester and West Natick, running express between West Natick and Boston Landing. Worcester Line passengers will  make stops at all stations between Framingham and South Station, with an additional peak trip to and from Framingham.

New schedules will soon be available online at MBTA.com, according to the agency.

Also, between Sept. 9 and Nov. 5, service changes on the Haverhill Line will accommodate planned construction in accordance with the Positive Train Control and Automatic Train Control improvement project, the MBTA said. 

Passengers between Reading and Oak Grove have access to shuttle buses. At Oak Grove , passengers can then make an Orange Line connection to North Station. Shuttle buses are also available to passengers to make connections with Lowell and Haverhill line trains.