Foxboro Station, Commuter Rail Pilot’s Success Leads to Permanent Weekday Service Beginning October 2

The year-long pilot exceeded goals for ridership and other key metrics. Foxboro Station will now feature permanent weekday Commuter Rail service.

The MBTA in partnership with the Kraft Group and Patriot Place, MassDOT, and the Town of Foxborough announced today that permanent weekday Commuter Rail service between Boston’s South Station and Foxboro Station will be in effect with the start of the MBTA’s fall/winter Commuter Rail schedule on October 2, 2023.

“It's great to see that the pilot was well received and such a success,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “This represents a win for the entire region because it provides expanded access and opportunities for nearby residents in the community, workers, and businesses while making mass transportation the best way to travel for visitors looking to enjoy Foxboro’s many attractions. We look forward to seeing the permanent service benefit all involved for years to come, and I thank the Kraft Group for their partnership and commitment to a fully accessible station in the future.”

The permanent service announcement comes after the completion of the year-long Foxboro Weekday Service Pilot that began on September 12, 2022. The successful pilot exceeded targeted goals in key metrics like ridership in which expectations were exceeded with approximately 112-133 boardings per day in the third quarter compared to a goal of achieving 83-118 daily boardings on weekdays. On-time-performance also improved along the entire line and new opportunities for reverse/non-traditional commuters traveling to Foxboro were created, particularly in the middle of the day. The service also presents a continued opportunity to serve special event activity at Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place.

As part of the establishment of permanent service, the Kraft Group will complete design plans for a fully accessible station. As the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan does not include funding for Foxboro Station, the MBTA and Kraft Group will partner to seek funding to deliver a fully renovated station that includes the construction of full-length high-level platforms to modernize the rider experience at Foxboro.

“We are thrilled that our many years of partnership with the MBTA, MassDOT and Town of Foxborough has culminated in permanent weekday commuter rail service at Foxboro Station,” said Brian Earley, Vice President and General Manager of Patriot Place. “Permanent commuter rail service is a key element to drive economic development in this region, establishing an accessible link between Foxborough, Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium with the greater Boston area. We appreciate the continued support of our riders and look forward to the start of permanent service bringing a huge benefit to the community and commuters alike.”

“Establishing permanent service at Foxboro Station was identified as a goal in Foxborough’s Master Plan and will contribute to the sustained economic growth of our region by creating an important connection between Foxborough and the greater Boston area,” said Foxborough’s Acting Town Manager, Paige Duncan. “Foxboro Station offers a convenient and easily accessible transportation option for local residents commuting to Boston, as well as for reverse commuters traveling to Foxborough for work or to support our local businesses. It’s been a pleasure to work in partnership with the Kraft Group, MBTA and MassDOT to bring permanent weekday commuter rail service to fruition in Foxborough.”

The permanent weekday Commuter Rail service to Foxboro Station begins with the start of the MBTA’s fall/winter schedule that goes into effect on Monday, October 2. The schedule will continue to feature a total of 11 inbound and 10 outbound daily trips during peak morning and evening commuting times with stops at Back Bay Station, including an inbound train arriving at South Station at 8:15 AM and an outbound train departing South Station at 5:32 PM. The schedule is available in its entirety at mbta.com. Just as with the pilot, service will continue to be accessible to riders with disabilities via the station’s existing mini-high-level platforms. Foxboro is in Zone 4 with a regular Zone 4 one-way fare costing $8.75, a regular Zone 4 round-trip fare costing $17.50, and a regular Zone 4 monthly pass of $281 on CharlieTicket or $271 on the mTicket app.