Press Release  MassDOT & MBTA Announce S. Attleboro Station Free Parking from Oct 1

ATTLEBORO — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MBTA today announced that, starting October 1, 2024,and through April 1, 2025, parking will be free at South Attleboro Commuter Rail Station. The six-month initiative is designed to encourage more ridership on the MBTA Commuter Rail. Prior to the pandemic, there was particularly high demand for parking at South Attleboro Station. Normally, parking at South Attleboro Station costs $6 per day. 

“Incentivizing more people to use public transportation helps reduce congestion on our roadways and relieves commuters from having to drive their cars into busier areas where parking can be a headache,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “I commend General Manager Eng and his team for giving the public six months of free parking at South Attleboro Station, as we all work together to ensure strong public transit ridership across Massachusetts.”

“The MBTA is committed to delivering safe and reliable service, making mass transportation the preferred choice of travel. Building upon our already strong return of riders on our Commuter Rail system, this pilot supports our existing travelers, incentivizes others to use the South Attleboro Station, and potentially frees up parking spaces at neighboring stations,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “As we monitor and evaluate the results of this free parking initiative, I want to extend my appreciation to Representative Hawkins, our stakeholders, and advocates who worked with us to make it a reality at South Attleboro.”

“Free parking for Commuter Rail riders at the South Attleboro MBTA Station is smart public policy and represents forward thinking by the MBTA and Healey administration. Given the recent return to service at South Attleboro, it is essential that we continue to remove barriers to public transportation at this station and other working-class communities across our region and throughout the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Paul R. Feeney. “I'm grateful to the MBTA, General Manager Eng, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for listening to residents and riders, and working closely with the Attleboro delegation to make progress in the renovation of this station while identifying ways to make the commute more affordable.”

State Representative Jim Hawkins said, “The South Attleboro Commuter Station offers easy access from I-95 and having service available there has opened the door to collaboration with GATRA and RIPTA, improved automobile traffic, and development in the area.”

“I am thrilled about the MBTA’s decision to temporarily suspend parking fees for riders parking in the South Attleboro MBTA lot,” said South Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “This is a positive step toward getting folks back to this station and further incentivizing people to get off the highway and back on the Commuter Rail. Attleboro is fortunate to have two MBTA stops and their success is our success. We appreciate the good work of Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and her team in making this happen.”

The MBTA reopened South Attleboro Station on May 20, 2024, after athree-year closure to facilitate improvements, restoring limited service during the morning and afternoon rush hours. This includes three inbound trips every weekday morning and three outbound trips every weekday evening.

For more information on South Attleboro Station and train arrival and departure information, please visit the MBTA website: www.mbta.com/stops/place-NEC-1919 

All Commuter Rail schedules are available online at: mbta.com/cr 

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