MBTA Commuter Rail

The MBTA Commuter Rail connects Boston, MA and Rockport, US over a 388-mile route operated by MBTA / Keolis, calling at 11 stations across 4 states.

Route guide

The MBTA Commuter Rail is a commuter rail service operated by MBTA / Keolis. Trains run 14 lines plus the new South Coast service over 388 miles of mainline track between Boston South Station and Rockport, calling at 11 intermediate and terminal stations across 4 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Atlantic-coast Newburyport and Rockport branches; Quabbin watershed on the Worcester Line; Cape Cod Bay on the Greenbush Line.

History & service notes

Created from former Boston & Maine, New Haven, and Boston & Albany commuter routes in the 1970s. The South Coast Rail extension to Fall River and New Bedford opened in 2025. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the MBTA Commuter Rail includes multilevel and Kawasaki bi-level cars, MP36PH-3C and HSP46 locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from Boston to Rockport. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

• Boston South Station — Boston, MA BOS
• Boston Back Bay — Boston, MA BBY
• Boston North Station — Boston, MA BNT
• Providence — Providence, RI PVD
• Worcester Union Station — Worcester, MA WOR
• Haverhill — Haverhill, MA HAV
• Exeter — Exeter, NH EXR
• Dover, NH — Dover, NH DOV
• Newburyport — Newburyport, US NEW
• Salem — Salem, MA SAL
• Rockport — Rockport, US ROC

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Boston, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Rockport. The corridor passes through cities including Boston, Boston, and Rockport, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.