Project Description 

The South Coast Rail Service Plan will identify a preferred way for SRTA to provide service to planned MBTA South Coast Rail stations in Fall River, Freetown, and New Bedford. The project will begin by estimating market demand for SRTA service to future South Coast Rail stations. After this market estimation work is complete, the planning team will develop potential fixed-route bus and microtransit scenarios, each of which will show a different way of serving the South Coast Rail stations. These scenarios will then be presented to the public for feedback  and a final, preferred scenario will be selected based on feedback and technical criteria. 

The South Coast Rail Service Plan project will be conducted in the summer and fall of 2022, with a public engagement period planned for October. The final service plan is expected to be completed before 2023, and would be implemented just prior to South Coast Rail operations starting, which is planned for 2023. 

About South Coast Rail 

The South Coast Rail project will restore commuter rail service between Boston and Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford. Phase 1 construction is underway and will restore service to the region by the end of 2023. To learn more about South Coast Rail, visit the project website here: www.mass.gov/south-coast-rail.