MBTA, Keolis revive $10 weekend commuter rail pilot
The special fare is available from the first train on Saturday to the last train on Sunday and may be used across all zones and all lines.
First piloted during the summer of 2018, the promotional fares were launched with the goal of increasing commuter rail ridership and revenue on the weekends when trains have additional capacity.
Keolis
The MBTA and its operating partner for commuter rail, Keolis Commuter Services, announced the special $10 Commuter Rail weekend fare pilot will resume on Saturday, Jan. 5. The special weekend fare is available from the first train on Saturday to the last train on Sunday and may be used across all zones and all lines.
"Resuming this pilot allows our customers to continue taking advantage of commuter rail as a travel option on weekends, while we study the potential for making this program permanent," said MBTA GM Steve Poftak. "I want to thank our partners at the FTA for working with us to resume this pilot and also acknowledge the enthusiastic response we received from our customers to this initiative."
Customers can visit MBTA.com/MassByTrain to explore destinations around the greater Boston area accessible by commuter rail and for listings of fun weekend excursions.
First piloted during the summer of 2018, the promotional fares were launched with the goal of increasing commuter rail ridership and revenue on the weekends when trains have additional capacity. During the six-month period these fares were available, 180,000 tickets were sold. This represents 23% of weekend sales and a 4.6% increase in weekend revenues compared to the same time period in 2017. While weekend construction impacted direct year-over-year analysis, passenger feedback throughout the summer pilot was very positive.
During their first six months being offered to passengers, the special fares were marketed digitally, on radio, and in direct mailers to new homeowners as part of a broad, comprehensive marketing program. This marketing program is the result of a ridership and revenue growth partnership between the MBTA and Keolis, a first-of-its-kind contract in the U.S., and marketing $10 fares will continue.
With the exception of the CapeFlyer, operated through a partnership with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, and special event trains for destinations such as Gillette Stadium, this pilot applies to all MBTA Commuter Rail services on Saturdays and Sundays.
More Rail
NJ TRANSIT Secures Capital Funding, Adopts FY2027 Budget
The budgets continue investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Masabi Teams with St. Louis Metro and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Transdev, Hitachi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
Metra Begins Drone Pilot Project to Boost Safety and Security
The project is funded through a $620,000 grant from FEMA’s Transit Security Grant Program, which provides transit agencies with funding for projects intended to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public.
Read More →
Austin Transit Partnership Selects Stadler to Manufacture Light Rail Vehicles
The award marks the conclusion of a series of major procurements over 18 months, as outlined in ATP’s delivery plan, and keeps Austin Light Rail on track.
Read More →
The Heart Behind Austin's Light Rail
Why Austin Transit Partnership's Operations and Maintenance Facility could become the most important building in the city's first light rail system.
Read More →
June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year
Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro.
Read More →
Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs Bring Rail Expertise to California High-Speed Rail
The CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.
Read More →
Stadler Marks 10 Years in the U.S. with Salt Lake City Expansion
The expansion is expected to create up to 300 new local jobs, some of which are youth apprenticeships, said Stadler officials.
Read More →
MBTA Selects STV to Support Battery-Electric Locomotive Procurement
The firm's seven-year contract includes end-to-end support from bid review and selection through procurement, production, and testing.
Read More →
Executive Order Aims to Improve Transit Access Across California
The order directs state agencies to streamline transit project delivery, improve coordination, and expand access to bus and passenger rail services across California.
Read More →