Weekend service returning to Weymouth’s MBTA Commuter Rail Stations
After a two year absence, Weymouth’s MBTA Commuter Rail Stations will see the return of Saturday and Sunday service starting December 27. The restored weekend Commuter Rail schedules will serve to once again connect the South Shore’s communities to downtown Boston by providing sustainable transportation options that reduce both traffic congestion and air pollution at an affordable price.
“Increased access and availability of public transit can only mean greater opportunity for those we serve,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott in a MassDOT press release. “While we often must make difficult decisions in balancing the system we want and the system we can afford, I’m pleased that today we can once again provide weekend service to these communities.”
Saturday and Sunday service to both the Greenbush and Kingston/Plymouth lines was eliminated in 2012 due to a deficit in the state’s FY13 budget. MassDOT and the MBTA have since heard from many Commuter Rail customers, and their representatives in the state legislature, requesting reinstatement of service to the South Shore. Inclusion of funding in the FY15 state budget made restoring service possible.
“I’m pleased to see the MBTA address the needs of South Shore commuters. This is something we have been arguing for a while now and something I have supported in both the budget and transportation bond bill. Many constituents have contacted me about the lack of commuter rail on the weekend. This is a great option for people who need or want to commute into the city on the weekend. While we may have missed the activity of the summer month, I hope ridership over time will support this decision,” said Senator Robert Hedlund in a MassDOT press release.
“Restoring weekend commuter rail service on both lines that run in our community was a significant priority this legislative session,” said Representative James Murphy in the same MassDOT press release. “A lot of people work on the weekends, and use the MBTA to get to events around the South Shore and in Boston. It is critical that our residents and business owners have continued weekend commuter rail service.”