MBTA Commuter Rail Goes Free on Fridays This Summer

Governor Maura Healey announced on Monday a package of summer fare promotions for the MBTA Commuter Rail. Service will be free on every Friday in June, July, and August 2026, and monthly passes will be half price. These promotions are timed with Massachusetts hosting FIFA World Cup matches and other major visitor events.

The announcement was made at North Station alongside Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. The fare promotions include four distinct offers. These are designed to lower costs for regular commuters and to encourage broader public transit ridership during a summer the administration describes as unprecedented.

Monthly passholders stand to save between $321 and $639 over the three-month period, depending on their commuter rail zone.

The Four Promotions

The centerpiece of the package is Free Summer Fridays. All commuter rail service will be free on Fridays in June, July, and August, including Juneteenth and July 3. Standard fares will still apply for Boston Stadium trains, the CapeFLYER, and special event trains to Foxboro.

The second promotion cuts monthly commuter rail passes by 50 percent for all three months. The discount applies to full-fare and reduced-fare passes across Zones 1 through 10 and Interzones 1 through 10. It also applies to commuter ferry passes. Zone 1A passes are not included. Prices for single-ride tickets, 5-Day Flex Passes, and Weekend Passes will remain unchanged.

Third, monthly passholders will get expanded weekend travel privileges. Any rider with a monthly pass for any zone can travel through the entire system up to Zone 10 on weekends. This applies to both Saturdays and Sundays, no matter which zone their pass covers. Interzone passholders can also travel through Interzone 10. Zone 1A passes, and ferry service is excluded. Standard fares remain for Boston Stadium trains, the CapeFLYER, and Foxboro event service.

Fourth, the MBTA is introducing a $1 Weekend “Summer Companion” fare for monthly passholders. Each passholder may bring one companion on any weekend commuter rail trip covered by their pass for $1 per day. The offer is limited to one companion per passholder. It does not apply to stadium trains, the CapeFLYER, or Foxboro event service.

World Cup Service Adjustments

To handle the expected surge in ridership during the FIFA World Cup, the MBTA will adjust commuter rail schedules in June and July. The agency will expand service to handle up to 20,000 passengers on 14 trains per match day to Boston Stadium, according to the administration.

The MBTA acknowledged that these temporary schedule changes may affect regular riders and stated that the fare discounts are intended in part to offset those disruptions.

“As we prepare for events like the World Cup, MA250, Tall Ships, and for millions of visitors to experience all that Massachusetts has to offer, we want to thank our regular riders who rely on us 365 days a year,” Eng said. He encouraged passengers across the region to take advantage of the promotions. Eng described the free and discounted service as a direct expression of gratitude to daily commuters who have continued to choose transit.

A Busy Summer Ahead

The fare package reflects the administration’s concern about congestion during a busy summer with events such as FIFA World Cup matches, MA250 celebrations, and the Tall Ships festival.

Governor Healey framed the promotions as a cost-of-living measure for commuters. She also called it a strategy to shift travel behavior. “We want to make using public transportation easier and more affordable for people — for our regular commuters, for residents going out to local businesses and restaurants, and for everyone who will be enjoying the exciting special events we have going on this summer,” Healey said.

Lieutenant Governor Driscoll emphasized accessibility. “We want residents and visitors to be able to travel affordably and take advantage of everything our communities have to offer,” she said.

The promotions take effect in June 2026 and run through the end of August.