Keolis, DCR and MBTA Encourage Public to Explore State’s Natural Beauty

Keolis Commuter Services, the MBTA’s partner that operates the commuter rail, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation are encouraging the public to enjoy hiking trails, walking paths, leaf peeping or other recreational activities this fall with the assistance of the commuter rail network.

Spanning nearly 400 miles of Massachusetts’ cities, suburbs and rural landscape, the MBTA commuter rail system connects millions of residents to some of the state’s premier destinations which include dozens of state parks, beaches and historical sites.

“It is our goal to grow ridership on the commuter rail during off-peak and weekend trips, fall is a beautiful time to explore New England. With the leaves changing colors, we hope residents and tourists will consider taking the train to some of the many destinations accessible via our rail service,” said David Scorey, general manager and CEO of KCS.

During off-peak hours, non-service dogs and bicycles are welcome on the commuter rail. Off-peak hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. until the last train Monday through Friday. All weekend service is off-peak.

Passengers considering a hike, bike ride or access to the Commonwealth’s state parks should consult DCR’s Trails Guidelines and Best Practices handbook. Visitors are encouraged to add walking times into their trip-planning and should be aware that park locations are mapped as the closest trail head to the MBTA commuter rail station, not the main entrance.

"The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to offer many state parks, forests and reservations that are accessible by public transportation, and I encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take advantage of this new tool to better enjoy the warm fall weather with family and friends," said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. "Massachusetts is fortunate to have a wealth of natural resources available to residents, and I thank Keolis for partnering with the Commonwealth to offer everyone yet another way to explore our great outdoors."

Riders exploring state parks are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hash-tag “#TrainsToTrails”.