New Bedford’s Official South Coast Rail Schedule to and From Boston

BOSTON (WBSM) — The official schedule has now been released for the South Coast Rail commuter rail service that will connect New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton to Boston.

After decades in the making, the billion-dollar project is finally complete and is expected to launch service on March 24, pending final federal approval.

It was already announced that there will be a total of 32 daily trips to and from South Station in Boston, and now we know exactly when those trains will be scheduled to run.

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How Many Commuter Rail Trains Will Run to and From New Bedford?

On weekdays, there will be 14 trains that depart from New Bedford, and 15 trains running from Boston to New Bedford.

The first weekday train leaves the New Bedford Station (at the Whale’s Tooth parking lot downtown) at 4:27 a.m., with trains following at 5:55 a.m., 6:22 a.m., 7:25 a.m., 9:33 a.m., 10:43 a.m., 11:53 a.m., 1:03 p.m., 2:13 p.m., 3:25 p.m., 4:28 p.m., 6:07 p.m., 7:07 p.m. and 9:23 p.m. The arrival times in Boston will be roughly 90-95 minutes later each trip.

Those trains will also stop at New Bedford’s Church Street Station in the North End a few minutes later.

Direct return trips to New Bedford leave Boston’s South Station at 4:38 p.m., 5:38 p.m., 6:36 p.m., 8:55 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. More frequent return trips are also available to the East Taunton station, which will then run a shuttle service train to New Bedford. Those trains leave Boston at 6:45 a.m., 8:37 a.m., 9:50 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:42 p.m., 7:29 p.m. and 10:35 p.m.

What About Weekend Trains?

There will be seven trains from New Bedford to Boston and eight trains from Boston to New Bedford on weekends.

Trains will leave New Bedford for South Station Saturday and Sunday mornings at 4:47 a.m., 8:23 a.m., 10:43 a.m., 1:03 p.m., 3:23 p.m., 6:50 p.m. and 9:53 p.m.

Return trips from South Station will leave at 6:37 a.m., 8:40 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:59 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

READ MORE: The Full South Coast Rail Schedule

How Much Will It Cost to Ride South Coast Rail?

The route is in Zone 8, so a one-way fare to Boston will be $12.25 with a reduced rate of $6 for seniors and the disabled. On the weekends and federal holidays, the normal fare is $10. Children under 11 or people who are police officers, firefighters, members of the military or legally blind all ride for free.

Free Rides on Weekends and Free Parking Through April

The MBTA previously announced that it is offering free weekend rides and free parking each day from the launch of South Coast Rail on March 24 through the end of April, as a “thank you” to residents who have waited so long for rail service, and also to encourage ridership.

Senator Montigny: South Coast Rail Schedule “Robust”

According to a release, Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) “has championed the South Coast Rail project since its inception, authoring the project’s key enabling law and vital capital funding that jump-started the project for the Greater New Bedford region.”

“In particular, Montigny’s laws included the project’s very first environmental impact study as well as the later primary work for the design, permitting, and construction from New Bedford and Fall River to the Cotely Junction in Taunton along with over $250 million in state bonding authority,” according to the release.

“I am pleased that the MBTA remains on track to deliver this long-anticipated service with a robust daily schedule,” Sen. Montigny said. “Free weekend service in April will help introduce commuter rail to our community and I encourage residents to take advantage of it.”

For more information and further schedules, visit the MBTA website.