Train Service Arrives in Fall River and New Bedford and Benefits Cape Verdean Community

After almost 67 years of waiting, the train service to Fall River and New Bedford is finally back in operation. The South Coast Rail project, which connects the cities of Fall River and New Bedford to Boston, is now up and running and promises to significantly improve mobility in the region, especially for the Cape Verdean community, which now has a new, affordable means of transportation to travel to Brockton and Boston.

The rail line, which is part of the MBTA, has been renamed the Fall River/New Bedford Line and passes through Taunton before reaching the state capital. The hope for this moment lasted decades, but finally, on the dawn of the inauguration, more than 100 people gathered at the New Bedford station to witness the train's first departure at 4:27 in the morning. In Fall River, the first departure took place at 5:05 a.m., also with a large presence of passengers and local authorities.

For the Cape Verdean community, which has a strong presence in the region, this new transportation option represents a significant improvement, making it easier to travel between cities without having to face the heavy traffic of the highways. In addition, the MBTA has announced that the service will be free on weekends until the end of April, further encouraging the use of the train.

The fare to Boston has been set at $12.25 per way, with a reduced fare of $6 for qualified passengers. During the week, trains depart every 70 minutes, while on weekends the frequency is two hours. The estimated travel time between Fall River or New Bedford and Boston is approximately 90 minutes.

The South Coast Rail project had a total cost of $1.1 billion and is considered one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region in recent years. Six new boarding platforms were built, including the Fall River Depot, Freetown, New Bedford, Church Street, East Taunton and Middleboro stations. In addition, two yards have been implemented for overnight train parking, one in Fall River and one in New Bedford.

The struggle to re-establish train service in the region has gone through seven state governments and many challenges. Former governor Charlie Baker, who pushed for the construction of the project in 2017, stressed the importance of the new rail system in connecting SouthCoast communities to Boston, making it easier to commute and promoting local economic development.

The history of trains in the region dates back to the era of the Old Colony Railroad, operated by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which dominated transportation in southern New England until the 1950s. However, with the growth of highways and the greater adoption of automobiles, the rail service was discontinued in 1958. Now, with the reactivation of the system, a new era of connectivity and opportunities for residents is expected.

With the opening of the new line, the people of Fall River and New Bedford, including thousands of Cape Verdeans who live in these cities, have an extra reason to celebrate. Accessibility to rail transportation not only improves quality of life, but also strengthens ties between SouthCoast communities and greater Boston.