FALL RIVER, Mass. — Residents voiced complaints about unreliable service and noise from idling trains on Thursday at a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority public meeting about early issues with the South Coast Rail service that debuted in March.
The Fall River Herald News reports that about 100 people were on hand for a meeting with MBTA CEO Phillip Eng and other officials from the MBTA and contract commuter rail operator Keolis.
The first weekends of service were plagued by cancellations because of a shortage of qualified crews [see “After first-month issues …,” Trains News Wire, April 26, 2025]. Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan told the meeting that all trains have operated for the last six weekends, and no cancellations are currently expected in the coming weeks.
Timekeeping has been an issue, with the Fall River/New Bedford Line showing an on-time rate of about 77%, the newspaper reports, compared to 90% systemwide. Eng said double-tracking the mostly single-track line is “on our to-do list,” and that electrified service could also be explored. The MBTA is planning a pilot program with battery-electric trains on its Fairmount line and could test them elsewhere [see “MBTA approves plan for battery-electric …,” News Wire, July 25, 2024].
Noise concerns were foremost for residents near the new layover facility in Fall River. Several people who live near that yard said said they have been unable to sleep since the service began because of noise from idling trains, which remain running for several hours for inspections after completing their runs. Trains are then restarted about an hour ahead of morning service. One woman said the noise is “an active injury to my health, to my work and to my home,” and said those near the facility are carrying “a disproportionate burden.” Another said the noise has eliminated outdoor family activity.
Coholan said the agency would look at solutions including an earthen berm around the facility and a 30-foot sound wall, but cautioned, “Everyone loves the idea of a sound wall until they have a huge wall that they’re staring at.”
So, do we know how many riders after the botched opening weeks?
“If you have to ask, we’d prefer you don’t know.”
PETER – We won’t get an answer in any of the three languages, English Spanish or Portuguese.
As a native of the area and a New Haven railroad fan, I wish for the best, expect the worst.