South Coast Rail Extension: Free Weekend Rides Extended Through May

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has extended free weekend travel on the South Coast Rail extension through May. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This decision follows delays, cancellations, and bus substitutions during the initial month of service.

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Launched on March 24, the South Coast Rail extension adds 37 miles to the MBTA commuter rail system. It connects communities that haven’t had passenger rail service for over six decades, with six new stations now operational.

South Coast Rail Faces Operational Challenges

The new rail line has faced frequent delays and bus substitutions, with Keolis, the contract operator, attributing these issues to a shortage of qualified engineers and conductors.

Keolis has apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers. In a statement, the company emphasized that it is working to resolve these challenges and improve service reliability.

Keolis CEO Abdellah Chajai addressed the issue in an MBTA board meeting, where he confirmed efforts are underway to qualify more staff. MBTA CEO Phillip Eng stressed the importance of ensuring enough employees are available to cover all shifts.

He also noted that any bus substitutions must be reliable, as several passengers were left stranded when buses failed to show up.

Free Weekend Rides Extended Amid Service Issues

In response to the ongoing operational challenges, the MBTA announced that free weekend rides on the South Coast Rail extension will continue through May. Originally, this offer was set to expire at the end of April.

Additional bus substitutions will continue throughout this weekend, with five round-trip train services replaced by buses on both Saturday, April 26, and Sunday. Some express buses will be available for passengers traveling between Fall River and New Bedford.

As of Monday, Keolis faced more than $51,000 in fines due to service failures. The MBTA’s decision to extend free weekend rides aims to support passengers while the situation improves.

Source: www.trains.com

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