FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A year-long pilot program offering weekday service at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Foxboro station will lead to permanent service beginning Oct. 2, the MBTA announced Thursday.
The year-long pilot program began Sept. 12, 2022, and exceeded targets goals for ridership, with the MBTA saying third-quarter ridership was 112 to 133 boardings per day, compared to a goal of 83 to 118 daily boardings. On-time performance improved on the entire Franklin/Foxboro line, and the agency said the pilot created new opportunites for reverse and non-traditional commuters traveling to Foxboro.
“It’s great to see that the pilot was well received and such a success,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said in a press release. “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 Kraft Group will develop plans for a fully accessible station at the Foxboro site, and will partner with the MBTA to seek funding for a full station renovation including full-length, high-level platforms, since the MBTA Capital Investment Plan does not include funding for the Foxboro project.
The permanent service begins with the MBTA’s fall/winter schedule revisions effective Oct. 2. It will feature 11 inbound and 10 outbound daily trips. The full schedule is available here.
The MBTA initially launched a pilot program serving the Foxboro station in October 2019, but that pilot was aborted in spring 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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