Showing posts with label commuter rail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commuter rail. Show all posts

Sunday, December 31, 2023

MBTA offers Free travel on New Year's Eve

"Free travel on all modes after 8 PM New Year's Eve

All subway lines will also be operating with additional service after
3 PM on Sunday, December 31.

Commuter Rail lines will provide late-night service with last trains held at North and South Stations until after midnight. 

See more details here -> https://www.mbta.com/holidays

 

MBTA offers Free travel  on New Year's Eve
MBTA offers Free travel  on New Year's Eve

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Commuter Rail will operate on a normal weekday schedule Monday, Oct 9 (holiday)

On Columbus Day, Monday October 9th, all Commuter Rail lines will operate on a normal weekday schedule.

On the Haverhill Line, buses will continue to replace train service between Reading and Oak Grove and will operate on a weekday schedule as well.

Affected lines:
Newburyport/Rockport Line
Haverhill Line
Lowell Line
Fitchburg Line
Framingham/Worcester Line
Needham Line
Franklin/Foxboro Line
Fairmount Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
Middleborough/Lakeville Line
Kingston Line
Greenbush Line

Last Updated: Oct 02 2023 08:34 AM  https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts

Commuter Rail will operate on a normal weekday schedule Monday, Oct 9 (holiday)
Commuter Rail will operate on a normal weekday schedule Monday, Oct 9 (holiday)

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

MBTA adding trains to the Franklin line during peak periods beginning Oct 2, 2023

"THE MBTA’S commuter rail service operator is preparing to expand service this fall, adding late-night departures from Boston and more trains during peak periods on select lines to meet increased demand.

The commuter rail operator, Keolis Commuter Services, already offers service at roughly one-hour intervals through most of the day. The new schedule, which begins October 2, will add a late train from Boston on weekdays and weekends to accommodate people with unconventional work schedules or those attending late-night events.

On the Providence-Stoughton Line, the last train will now depart Boston at 11:55 p.m., 55 minutes later than the current schedule. Most other train lines will follow similar schedules. The Needham Line, however, is pushing back the last train on weekdays from 11 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., but retaining 10:15 p.m. for the last train on weekends.

Keolis is also adding trains during the morning and evening peak periods on the Lowell, Fitchburg, Franklin, and Worcester lines, reducing the one-hour interval between trains to every 30 to 45 minutes. For example, trains on the Lowell Line will operate every 35 minutes coming into Boston between 6:25 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. and every 30 to 40 minutes departing Boston between 3:55 p.m. and 6:20 p.m."



The NEW Schedules are not yet available but should be posted here when ready     https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

MBTA adding trains to the Franklin line during peak periods beginning Oct 2, 2023
MBTA adding trains to the Franklin line during peak periods beginning Oct 2, 2023


Friday, September 1, 2023

MBTA Commuter Rail notice - Trains on Monday will operate on a weekend schedule

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on a weekend schedule on Labor Day, Monday September 4.
Affected lines:
  • Newburyport/Rockport Line
  • Haverhill Line
  • Lowell Line
  • Fitchburg Line
  • Framingham/Worcester Line
  • Needham Line
  • Franklin/Foxboro Line
  • Fairmount Line
  • Providence/Stoughton Line
  • Middleborough/Lakeville Line
  • Kingston Line
  • Greenbush Line
Last Updated: Aug 30 2023 07:35 AM


The Franklin line schedule -> https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
The Franklin line schedule -> https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

Friday, August 25, 2023

MBTA Commuter Rail notice effective Sep 1, 2023

Beginning September 1st, 2023, normal fares will resume throughout the MBTA system. Passengers will no longer be able to display CharlieCards for travel to/from select stations on the Commuter Rail.


Affected lines:
Newburyport/Rockport Line
Haverhill Line
Lowell Line
Fitchburg Line
Framingham/Worcester Line
Needham Line
Franklin/Foxboro Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
Middleborough/Lakeville Line
Kingston Line
Greenbush Line

Last Updated: Aug 24 2023 02:32 PM


MBTA Commuter Rail notice effective Sep 1, 2023
MBTA Commuter Rail notice effective Sep 1, 2023

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Reminder: Shuttle busses between Franklin & Walpole on Aug 19 & Aug 20 to allow for track work

MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) posted on Tue, Aug 08, 2023:
"Franklin Line Diversion

On Saturday, August 19th & Sunday, August 20th, buses will replace regular weekend train service between Forge Park/495 and Walpole.

This diversion allows for work on the Franklin double track project. https://t.co/NiAtJ6edei"

Franklin line diversion Aug 19 & Aug 20 - busses between Franklin & Walpole
Franklin line diversion Aug 19 & Aug 20 - busses between Franklin & Walpole

Thursday, August 10, 2023

MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin line diversion Aug 19 & Aug 20 - busses between Franklin & Walpole

MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) posted on Tue, Aug 08, 2023:
"Franklin Line Diversion

On Saturday, August 19th & Sunday, August 20th, buses will replace regular weekend train service between Forge Park/495 and Walpole.

This diversion allows for work on the Franklin double track project. https://t.co/NiAtJ6edei"

Franklin line diversion Aug 19 & Aug 20 - busses between Franklin & Walpole
Franklin line diversion Aug 19 & Aug 20 - busses between Franklin & Walpole

Monday, May 22, 2023

Spring/Summer schedule is now in effect for Franklin's Commuter Rail

The Spring/Summer schedule is now in effect on all Commuter Rail lines. Visit MBTA.com to check the minor adjustments we implemented for better seasonal performance.

The Spring/Summer schedule maintains the same frequent weekday service introduced in Spring 2021, with a few changes to train times in order to factor in track work and seasonal events.
  • Many flag stops will also be converted into regular station stops.
  • On Monday, May 29th (Memorial Day), Tuesday, July 4th (Independence Day) and Monday, September 4th (Labor Day), all lines will operate on a weekend schedule.
  • On Monday, June 19th (Juneteenth), Monday, July 3rd (Day before Independence Day), and Monday, October 9th (Columbus Day), all lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
  • For all holiday schedules, please check MBTA.com/holidays.

Affected lines:
Newburyport/Rockport Line
Haverhill Line
Lowell Line
Fitchburg Line
Framingham/Worcester Line
Needham Line
Fairmount Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
Middleborough/Lakeville Line
Kingston Line
Greenbush Line

Last Updated: May 19 2023 07:58 AM

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Mass Housing Project has released #Residensity, a cool tool for the Franklin zoning & housing discussion

"Extra, Extra 📰: Our latest data tool is now live. It allows for parcel analyses anywhere in MA. That's 2.16M parcels in the database. 
We hope #Residensity will help communities envision how to effectively address their housing needs. 
This thread outlines what it can do.⬇️"
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/mhphousing/status/1626326817568169988

Or read the thread in this PDF document

Or go directly to #Residenisty and start playing  https://residensity.mhp.net/

I set up a neighborhood using the .5 miles around the Franklin/Dean Depot Station. You can view the output of that here ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gPg1jZP-r0gXnTrNgUk1PMZwAfjuczD-/view?usp=share_link

Mass Housing Project has released #Residensity, a cool tool for the Franklin zoning & housing discussion
Mass Housing Project has released #Residensity, a cool tool for the Franklin zoning & housing discussion

Thursday, January 5, 2023

MBTA Commuter Rail: A Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change is starting January 23, 2023


Monday, January 23, 2023 - a new Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule will go into effect. This schedule adjustment will prevent train conflicts between Readville & South Station after the opening of Pawtucket station (Prov Line) and offer improved on-time performance.

For more information: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/2023-01-03-cr-franklin-foxboro-fall-winter-schedule.pdf

Last Updated: Jan 04 2023 11:03 AM

MBTA Franklin Line Schedules ->   https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable



Saturday, November 12, 2022

MBTA Commuter Rail Schedule Alert: a weekend schedule will run on both November 24 & 25

"The Commuter Rail will operate on a weekend schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th as well as on the following day, Friday, November 25th.

Buses will continue to replace weekend train service between Rockport and Beverly.

For more information: https://mbta.com/holidays

Last Updated: Nov 10 2022 03:41 PM "



MBTA Commuter Rail Schedule Alert: a weekend schedule will run on both November 24 & 25
MBTA Commuter Rail Schedule Alert: a weekend schedule will run on both November 24 & 25

Saturday, August 6, 2022

MBTA: Upcoming service changes that might affect your travel


View this email in your browser

 Riders are no longer required to wear a mask while on the T, except for on The RIDE. The MBTA continues to follow CDC guidelines in encouraging people to wear face masks on public transit. 

For the latest information about COVID-19 safety precautions, riders should check mbta.com/coronavirus.

This weekend and next week, the following lines will have service changes:

  • Red Line — Weekdays
  • Orange Line — Weekdays, and weekends
  • Green Line — all day, every day
  • Commuter Rail — Weekends, weekdays, and ongoing

Subway



Red Line

JFK/UMASS – Braintree
August 8 – 11
8:45 PM until end of service 




Shuttles will run between JFK/UMASS – Braintree from 8:45 PM to end of service for trackwork.

Learn more about Red Line transformation projects

See all Red Line service changes


Green Line

Heath St – Copley
August 6 – 21, all day every day



E Branch service will be suspended between Copley and Heath St from August 6 – 21 for track and infrastructure upgrades. Customers can use Route 39 bus service as an alternate.   

Learn more about Green Line infrastructure upgrades

See all Green Line service changes


Government Center – Union Square
August 22 – September 18, all day every day

Green Line service will be suspended from Monday, August 22 through Sunday, September 18. This suspension will help facilitate the opening of the Medford Branch and to allow crews to perform final-phase construction work. Shuttles will replace Green Line service between Government Center and Union Square. 

Learn more about Green Line transformation projects


Orange Line

Oak Grove – Forest Hills
August 19 – September 18, all day every day

Orange Line service will be suspended from Friday, August 19 at 9 PM through Sunday, September 18. This suspension will allow for upgrades and improvements of track and signal systems along the line.  

Commuter Rail service alternative:
Riders commuting to downtown are encouraged to use the Commuter Rail. Zone 1A, 1, and 2 fares can be paid simply by showing a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket on ALL Commuter Rail lines. During these 30 days, most passing south-side Needham and Providence Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. On the north-side, Haverhill Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station.

Riders can use other existing MBTA bus and subway services to complete their trips, along with free accessible shuttle buses servicing the Orange Line.

MBTA travel alternatives:

  • Green Line E Branch
  • Silver Line 4
  • Free shuttle buses between Oak Grove and Haymarket, and then to Government Center
  • Free shuttle buses between Forest Hills and Back Bay, and then to Copley
  • Route 39 bus, servicing Forest Hills – Back Bay Station
  • CT2 bus, servicing Sullivan Square – Ruggles Station 


Orange Line travel alternatives

Learn more about Building a Better T in 2022

 



Commuter Rail


Fitchburg Line
August 6 – 7, all weekend

On the weekend of August 6 – 7, Fitchburg Line Train 1411/2411 (originally 5:50 PM from North Station) will depart North Station at 6:35 PM and operate 45 minutes behind the advertised spring/summer schedule. This service change will allow for work on the North Station Signal Improvement Project.

Learn more about the North Station Signal Improvement Project

See all Commuter Rail service changes


Newburyport/Rockport
August 5 – 7, Friday, and all weekend

On weekends July 30 – August 28 as well as weekdays August 4 – 5 and August 15 – 19, buses will replace service between Beverly and North Station to allow for work on the signal improvement project. Buses will operate to/from North Station.

Learn more about the North Station Signal Improvement Project

See all Commuter Rail service changes


Sunday, May 1, 2022

CommonWealth Magazine: "Calculating the right price for commuter rail"

"RIDERS ON THE MBTA commuter rail know that the network is significantly more expensive than the T’s local bus and subway service. It’s due for a change now.

For any trip on the Commuter Rail within I-95, local bus and subway service is often cheaper. It costs $7 to travel from Needham Heights to South Station and from Waltham to North Station. Route 59 to the Green Line in Newton? $2.40. Route 70 to the Red Line in Cambridge? $2.40.

These examples are not just anomalies within the system. The commuter rail gets proportionally more expensive closer to the Boston terminals. With the significant difference in cost, it’s clear why the commuter rail is not a popular option for many in the Greater Boston area, especially in communities closer to downtown. In 2018, Waltham saw about 500 passengers board the Fitchburg Line each day. At the Riverside Green Line station in Newton, over 1,800 passengers boarded the Green Line that same day."

Continue reading the article online

Note: for my 2 cents, pricing for commuter rail is not the only factor. Consider the cost for parking at the station, a better schedule, and reliability of on-time service as the key factors to increase ridership along with the commuter rail fare.

CommonWealth Magazine: "Calculating the right price for commuter rail"
CommonWealth Magazine: "Calculating the right price for commuter rail"


Tuesday, March 8, 2022

MBTA Commuter Rail challenges highlighted by incident on Worcester Line


"Tarang Shah of TransitMatters uses a breakdown on the Worcester commuter rail line to provide some valuable lessons on what's still missing as the MBTA tries to provide reliable service." 
Read the article online ->  https://t.co/XMTdcn1Syc  



MBTA Commuter Rail challenges highlighted by incident on Worcester Line
MBTA Commuter Rail challenges highlighted by incident on Worcester Line

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Starting October 11: Commuter Rail schedule change

The new Fall/Winter Commuter Rail schedules go into effect on Monday, October 11th. Visit MBTA.com or pick your schedule at South Station, North Station or Back Bay to see how we adapted our service for better seasonal performance.

The Fall/Winter schedule maintains the same frequent weekday service introduced this spring, with a few changes to train times in order to factor in slippery rail and snow.

The bike policy has also been updated: bikes are no longer accepted on board trains arriving in Boston between 6:30 am and 10:00 am or departing Boston between 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

Weekend service remains the same and busing continues:
- between West Gloucester and Rockport on the Rockport Line to allow for work on the Gloucester drawbridge.
- between Littleton/495 and Wachusett on the Fitchburg Line to facilitate Positive Train Control Implementation work.

Holiday service:
On Thursday, November 25th, 2021 (Thanksgiving Day), Saturday, December 25th, 2021 (Christmas Day), and Saturday, January 1st, 2022 (New Years Day), all lines will operate on a weekend schedule.
On Friday, November 26th, 2021 (Day after Thanksgiving), Friday, December 24th, 2021 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, December 31st, 2021 (New Years Eve), all lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule. 

For more information on holiday service on the Commuter Rail or other MBTA transit networks, passengers can visit MBTA.com/holidays.

Fall/Winter - Franklin Line schedule

Last Updated: Oct 04 2021 02:28 PM 

Starting October 11: Commuter Rail schedule change
Starting October 11: Commuter Rail schedule change


Sunday, September 19, 2021

South Station Air Rights Project: Construction Update - September 17, 2021


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The following is an update on construction activity for the South Station Air Rights Project. As construction progresses into Stage 2, work will transition from the station and concourse areas into established construction work zones adjacent to Atlantic Avenue, including Track 13 on east side of the railyard and the primary Tower Work Zone.

We will continue to send construction advisories to outline the project progress and schedule, as well as any passenger impacts. We also encourage you to visit the project website and check out the updated Project Photos and Documents page to see the new gallery of construction photos. 

During construction, crews will continue to work as efficiently as possible to minimize impacts to the traveling public. We appreciate your patience and engagement during this time. 

Construction Update - September 17, 2021

Suffolk Construction, the contractor for the South Station Air Rights Project, will continue daytime and overnight construction at South Station.
Please allow extra time (5–10 minutes) as you get used to new construction zones and paths of travel at the station. Trains might arrive and depart on a different track than what is typical. Be sure to check your track number before boarding.
Photo taken on September 14, 2021 showing work on the steel structure that will cover the railyard. 

Activity on Tracks and Platforms

  • The contractor is currently erecting a steel structure that will cover the entire railyard, which will support the expanded bus terminal. The next phase of steel erection has begun, and the structure (which is currently over Tracks 1-6) has begun to cover Tracks 7, 8, 9 & 10. The contractor will continue to place concrete on the new steel structure above the tracks as the structure is completed. 
     
  • In the Tower Work Zone, the contractor is continuing with pre-excavation operations to support installation of the tower deep foundation elements, which will begin in October. This work will be entirely behind the construction barriers, but customers may hear work and experience vibrations from it. 
     
  • In the next few weeks, a second crane will be set up to assist with the construction of the steel structure and the expansion of the bus terminal. This crane will be located between the station and the Post Office (adjacent to Track 13). Once it is operational, Track 13 will continue to operate normally during the day, but will be closed between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM. The overhead canopy, located between Tracks 12 and 13 will be removed in October. This work will occur at night. Pedestrian travel routes will be maintained at all times and clearly delineated. There will be access to CharlieCard validators used for the Fairmount Line.
     
  • The common platform has expanded around the work zone, providing direct access to all tracks. Passengers can use the new bifold doors near Tracks 1 and 2 to access the outdoor concourse and platforms. The other sets of doors are now closed. The contractor has also completed the infill of Tracks 1 and 2, further expanding the platform.

Activity in Atlantic Avenue Area

  • A crane, located in the Atlantic Avenue Work Zone, is currently erecting the steel structure for the new bus terminal expansion and parking garage overbuild.
     
  • The lane on Atlantic Avenue formerly available for parking will continue to be used for pedestrian access around the work zone while steel erection work continues.
     
  • Commuters traveling between the South Station concourse and the South Station bus terminal are encouraged to use the Platform A walkway to bypass the expanded Atlantic Avenue Work Zone.

Activity in Summer Street Plaza Area


Work in this area is taking place behind construction barriers. This area serves as the main construction access for the Tower Work Zone. A uniformed police officer is stationed in the area when the gate is in use. Pedestrian travel routes will be maintained at all times and clearly delineated. There will be access to CharlieCard validators used for the Fairmount Line. 

For more information:

The schedule for this infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
Please encourage your friends, colleagues, and neighbors who may be interested in this project to sign up for email alerts as well.

Visit www.southstationairrights.com for more information.
South Station Air Rights · 51 Franklin St Ste 400 · Boston, MA 02110-1335 · USA

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Thursday, August 19, 2021

MA News: weekend commuter rail volume; commissioning public art

"Weekend commuter rail off to good start"

"Weekend service on all of the MBTA’s commuter rail lines returned on July 3, and already ridership is back close to pre-COVID levels.

Saturday ridership is roughly 77 percent of what it was during the summer of 2019, while Sunday ridership is 100 percent, according to Justin Thompson, a spokesman for Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of the T’s commuter rail system.

Trains are still under-utilized, but those are strong numbers given that weekend service wasn’t even available on most commuter rail lines during the first half of the year. The numbers also represent a stark contrast with weekday ridership, which still hasn’t recovered from the pandemic and the corresponding decline in commuting to work. "

Continue reading the article online

"Weekend commuter rail off to good start"
"Weekend commuter rail off to good start"



"A new way to commission public art"
"MOST MASSACHUSETTS communities use the same process to commission public art as they do to pave a sidewalk or hire a streetsweeper. They put out a call for contractors, review the bids that come in, and select one, typically the cheapest one. There is little or no public input into the process.

Lynn, with the help of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, has come up with a new approach called Lynnstallation.

The process began with two community focus groups that outlined the standards and values they wanted reflected in a piece of art: engagement, multi-generationality, education, justice, support, positivity and joy, and a colorful appearance. "
Continue reading the article online