The new Summer Commuter Rail schedule goes into effect on Monday, June 28th to restore weekend train service on all lines. Paper schedules available at North, South, and Back Bay Stations.
There are no changes to the weekday schedule. MBTA.com/cr
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| MBTA restores weekend service on Franklin line |
Regular weekend train service will resume on all lines with the new summer schedule, in effect on Monday, June 28th. There are no changes to the weekday schedule.
The new summer pdf schedule is now available -> https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-summer/2021-06-28-summer-franklin.pdf
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| weekend service resumes July 3, 2021 |
"When Garrett Wollman was considering his housing options in the greater Boston region back in 2001, the possibility of a carless commute beckoned. After all, the city has one of the best mass transit systems in the country, including an extensive regional rail network that ranges down to Providence, R.I., and up to beach towns like Gloucester and Manchester.
He picked a townhouse in downtown Framingham, a Boston suburb, a little over 20 miles from his job in Cambridge at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in part because it had a couple of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regional rail stations within two miles of his front door.
In theory, it would take Wollman almost the same amount of time to drive to his job at MIT as it would to take mass transit. According to Google Maps, the trip by public transportation is a mere 10 minutes less by highway, so why not skip the hassle of traffic sometimes and ride the rail from Framingham?"
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| “Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit" |
"We’re fortunate in Greater Boston to have the foundation for a strong regional transit system — a subway system in the city, well-established bus lines, and an extensive commuter rail network covering everything from diverse midsize cities to tony suburbs.The system yearns for a range of improvements, however, like more regular service outside rush hour so that it better serves residents who don’t work traditional 9 to 5 schedules. Here we’ll focus on one exciting model for change: the promise of transforming our commuter rail system into a “regional rail” system. That is to say, a more equitable, modern, fast, zero-emissions rail network that responds to how people live today and will live in the future."
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| This map, created by the advocacy group TransitMatters, envisions the first phase of improvements that could turn our existing commuter rail network into a “regional rail” system. It expands on a plan for upgrading commuter rail that the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board approved in 2019. TransitMatters’ executive director, Jarred Johnson, says regional rail would function more like a subway system does, with shorter trains that run more frequently and at higher speeds. Some stations and tracks would need to be added.TRANSITMATTERS |
MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) tweeted at 2:29 PM on Thu, Apr 01, 2021:Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/1aoRNfo2Av
⚠️ Service Reminder: NEW Spring Schedules will take effect on Monday, April 5, with more predictable & evenly spaced train times all day. Find your trip now at https://t.co/AW0Ike8PZD
Update: Worcester and Providence Line schedules have been adjusted. Details below ⬇️
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| MBTA Commuter Rail: new spring schedules effective April 5, 2021 |
"Should we still call it ‘commuter’ rail?"
"The MBTA is launching a fairly radical change to its commuter rail operations on April 5, running fewer trains at the traditional morning and evening peaks and spreading service out at regular intervals over the course of the day – what some call regional rail.
On the Framingham-Worcester line, trains currently depart from Worcester for Boston at 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., and 8:50 a.m. and then run at roughly two-hour intervals the rest of the day. Under the new approach starting April 5, the first train from Worcester will depart at 4:15 a.m., the next train at 5 a.m., and then trains will depart every hour on the hour for the rest of the day until 7 p.m. The three late-night trains will depart at 8:20, 9:20, and 10:20.
The idea behind the scheduling experiment is that COVID has disrupted ridership patterns. No one is quite sure what riders will want in the future, but the feeling is that they will no longer rigidly commute into work in the morning and return in the evening. They want more flexibility and greater frequency. And they want schedules that are easy to remember."
"WHEN THE MASSACHUSETTS COVID-19 Command Center calculates how many people are eligible for vaccinations in each of the state’s three phases, there’s a problem: The total number is 1 million more adults than actually live in the state.The main reason is that the state is double counting many individuals in these estimates.As a result, while the Command Center has said an estimated 2.55 million people could become eligible for vaccinations in the final group – generally healthy people between ages 16 and 55 who are not essential workers – the uncertainty in the numbers raises the possibility that the final group may be smaller than expected."
"WITH NO EXPECTATION of a quick turnaround in ridership, the MBTA is preparing to move ahead with bus and subway service cuts next month while adopting a more revolutionary approach on commuter rail that spreads trips out across the day and does away with the traditional concept of peak travel times.
Jeffrey Gonneville, the MBTA’s deputy general manager, said the new approach will spread service out across the day at regular, often hourly intervals rather than concentrating it at morning and evening peak periods. A marketing campaign promoting the new approach is expected to roll out over the next 30 days leading up to the April 5 launch.
Gonneville said the new schedule will also allow the T to operate trains and deploy staff more efficiently, saving an estimated $30 million annually. He said the new approach would use 11 percent fewer trains and enable a 20 percent reduction in operator hours.
The concept is fairly simple. Ridership has vanished on the commuter rail system during COVID and particularly at the traditional peak travel times, so the T is going to experiment with a new all-day approach. On the Worcester line, for example, a train will run every hour all day long between Worcester and Boston. The same is true on the Fitchburg and many of the other lines. "
Winter Schedule will take effect on January 23. Weekend service will only operate on the Middleborough, Fairmount, Providence, Worcester & Newburyport/Rockport Lines. Schedules are now available at South Station, North Station, Back Bay & MBTA.com.
On January 23rd, the 2021 Winter Service Schedule will go into effect. This Schedule will introduce:
- Additional trains on the Middleborough, Fairmount and Newburyport Lines.
- A revised weekend service with trains only operating on the Fairmount, Worcester, Providence, Middleborough, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.
Paper Schedules will be available in South Station, North Station and Back Bay starting the week of January 18th.
Last Updated: Jan 22 2021 02:55 PM
For other updates and the online schedule visit https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
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| MBTA Commuter Rail: Winter schedule now in effect, NO weekend service on Franklin Line |
Starting on Saturday, January 23, and until further notice, there will be no weekend train service on the Franklin Line
Winter Schedule will take effect on Saturday, January 23. Weekend service will only operate on the Middleborough, Fairmount, Providence, Worcester and Newburyport/Rockport Lines.
On January 23rd, the 2021 Winter Service Schedule will go into effect. This Schedule will introduce:
- Additional early trains on the Middleborough, Fairmount and Newburyport Lines.
- A revised weekend service with trains only operating on the Fairmount, Worcester, Providence, Middleborough, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.
The new Winter Schedule will be available on MBTA.com/schedules on Friday, January 15th. Paper Schedules will be available in South Station, North Station and Back Bay starting the week of January 18th.
Last Updated: Jan 07 2021 12:12 PM
On New Year's Day, Friday January 1, the Commuter Rail will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. The Rockport Line disruption will be the only disruption in effect.
Affected routes:
Last Updated: Dec 30 2020 06:57 PM
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Day service
On New Year's Eve, the Commuter Rail will run on the reduced weekday schedule. There will be no adjustments made to the schedule.
Affected routes:
Last Updated: Dec 30 2020 03:31 PM
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Eve service
All Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule on weekdays through Friday, January 8th, due to Covid-19 impact in communities and in the workforce. Weekend trains will operate on regular schedule.
Reduced Service Schedule is available from MBTA.com/cr and at South Station, North Station and Back Bay.
Bikes will be allowed on board all trains.
We will be reviewing staff numbers on a weekly basis to determine when we can be confident of being able to restore the full service.
Last Updated: Dec 23 2020 12:09 PM
"Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule"
Walpole – Forge Park/495 = September 12 – December 20, weekends
Shuttle buses replace trains between Walpole and Forge Park/495 to allow for work on the Franklin Line Double Track project.
Learn more about the Franklin Line Double Track project
https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track
See all Franklin Line service changes https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line
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| Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - maybe this is the last weekend for shuttle buses |
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| Reduced Service Schedule begins today |
"In Boston, transit officials warned of ending weekend service on the commuter rail and shutting down the city’s ferries. In Washington, weekend and late-night metro service would be eliminated and 19 of the system’s 91 stations would close. In Atlanta, 70 of the city’s 110 bus routes have already been suspended, a move that could become permanent.And in New York City, home to the largest mass transportation system in North America, transit officials have unveiled a plan that could slash subway service by 40 percent and cut commuter rail service in half.Across the United States, public transportation systems are confronting an extraordinary financial crisis set off by the pandemic, which has starved transit agencies of huge amounts of revenue and threatens to cripple service for years."
On weekends through Dec 20, buses replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double-track extension work. They will operate on a normal train schedule. Trains will operate between Walpole and S. Station
The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time.
Visit mbta.com/FRKwork and mbta.com/FRKdoubletrack for more details.
For more information: https://mbta.com/FRKwork
Last Updated: Dec 04 2020 12:10 PM
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| MBTA: Franklin Line - shuttle bus -through Dec 20 |
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"A MAJORITY of Massachusetts residents believe that if the MBTA sharply cuts back on services to balance its budget next year those commuting options will not return after the state’s economy fully reopens, according to a new MassINC poll.
The MBTA has proposed a variety of service cuts as part of a plan to deal with a $579 million shortfall in a budget decimated by the decline in ridership during the pandemic. The Fiscal and Management Control Board plans to vote on the package soon, and has faced blowback from riders, legislators, and transit advocates.
The online survey of 1,340 Massachusetts residents found that 64 percent somewhat or strongly oppose the cuts in service proposed by the MBTA, including less frequent subway and commuter trains, the elimination of 25 bus routes, and the cancellation of ferry service."
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| You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line |
The MBTA is facing budget problems and looking to reduce services. They are also looking for feedback on the proposed reductions and possible restorations as the funding and economy recovers.
Last public meeting scheduled for:
Forging Ahead Virtual Public Meeting: System-Wide Service
Date: December 2, 2020 at 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: Virtual • Zoom • Boston, MA
Attendees: General Public
Commuter Rail:
Commuter Rail Capital Projects placed “On Pause:”
Learn more about Commuter Rail changes
RIDE: - Starting in summer 2021:
Buses: Starting in summer 2021, MBTA plans to:
Ferry: Starting as early as March 2021, MBTA plans to:
Learn more about ferry changes
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| You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line |
The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, 11/26. Regular weekday train service will resume on Friday, 11/27.
On the Lowell and Franklin Lines, Sunday train service without disruptions will run on 11/26. Weekend bus shuttles will resume on both lines on Saturday 11/28.
On the Rockport Line, bus shuttles will continue to operate between West Gloucester and Rockport.
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
MBTA: Thursday - Commuter Rail notice for Thanksgiving
On weekends through Dec 20, buses replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double-track extension work. They will operate on a normal train schedule. Trains will operate between Norwood Central and S. StationIf you want to take the train to Boston, drive to Walpole (park there) and avoid the shuttle.
The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time.
Visit mbta.com/FRKwork and mbta.com/FRKdoubletrack for more details.
Last Updated: Nov 20 2020 12:15 PM
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| MBTA: Franklin Line notice - shuttle bus -through December 20 |
