Keolis, MBTA Adding Extra Capacity to Trains for Thanksgiving Travel

Additional capacity added to key trains around holiday travel

BOSTON – November 17, 2017 – Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the MBTA’s operating partner for the commuter rail, will increase passenger capacity on key trains to help accommodate increased ridership that occurs ahead of the holiday on Wednesday, November 22.

“With additional people traveling for the holiday and many businesses closing early on Wednesday, we will add coach cars to trains that we know historically see an increased level of ridership,” said David Scorey, General Manager and CEO of Keolis. “The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and we anticipate this advance planning will further improve our service offering, while also encouraging more people to take the train as a convenient option that helps to reduce roadway congestion in the area.”

Keolis crews will add extra coach cars to outbound Franklin, Needham, Kingston, Plymouth, Providence and Worcester line trains leaving downtown stations on Wednesday, November 22, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Customer service team members and Keolis Passenger Assistants will be on-hand at major stations to help direct customers and help to speed up boarding.

Additionally, residents around the greater Boston area can take advantage of the commuter rail this Saturday to experience the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth. Train 1051 departs South Station at 8:30 a.m. and at 9:27 a.m. it arrives Plymouth where you can take a free shuttle bus to the downtown parade route. Train 1038, which originates in Kingston, will run a modified route to also pick up passengers in Plymouth at approximately 3:45 p.m. to return to Boston making all local stops.

The commuter rail will operate on a Sunday schedule Thanksgiving Day. Passengers should take note that posted times are trains’ departure time and are reminded to have mTickets activated prior to boarding.