The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the T’s operations and maintenance partner for Commuter Rail, will operate extra Commuter Rail service to and from Salem on all weekends in October.
Several extra trains will run on Saturdays and Sundays during peak times on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line. The increase in service will help accommodate visitors to Salem for Haunted Happenings events, and the schedule will be available soon at mbta.com/cr. Passengers can utilize the unlimited $10 Weekend Commuter Rail Pass for their journey to and from Salem. Riders can also take advantage of a special $5 round trip ticket between Beverly and Salem every weekend in October.
“Taking the train is a fun and easy way to get to Salem this season. With passengers traveling for work, school, and for fun events like Haunted Happenings in Salem, we’re pleased to see ridership continuing to grow on Commuter Rail in many different ways, proving that public transit accommodates all kinds of travelers,” said Interim Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “We’re proud to offer affordable and frequent service to keep people moving back and forth to the festivities. I want to thank the MBTA and Keolis workforce in advance for their efforts and dedication to the communities who rely on us each fall.”
“Avoid the stress of driving and parking by taking the train to Salem this October,” said Keolis CEO and General Manager John Killeen. “Passengers can take advantage of increased weekend service and the $10 unlimited weekend pass to make the 30-minute ride between Boston and Salem even easier. Keolis is proud to partner with the MBTA and the City of Salem to increase weekend service again this year.”
“Salem is a fun and vibrant city, and we want everyone in our community – residents, workers, and visitors – to have a safe and enjoyable October” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, “Because there is very limited parking in Salem, we strongly encourage visitors to consider alternative ways to get here. There will be an increase in commuter rail trains throughout the month of October, as well as our ferry to and from Boston. So, this October, if you’re coming to Salem come by train, come by ferry, or come by broom, but leave the car at home. You’ll spend less time sitting in traffic or searching for parking, and more time enjoying all that our amazing city has to offer!”
Over 111,000 passengers rode the train to Salem during October weekends in 2025.
On Monday, October 12, Commuter Rail will operate on a regular weekday schedule, and $10 Weekend Commuter Rail passes will be extended for that day.
Full-sized bicycles and scooters will not be allowed on any weekend trains on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line.
Keolis Commuter Services has operated and maintained the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail system, the sixth largest commuter rail operation in North America, for over ten years. KCS is a subsidiary of Keolis North America (KNA), both headquartered in Boston, and employs approximately 2,500 people throughout the region. KCS and KNA are part of Keolis Group, an innovative global leader in transit services with more than a century of passenger transportation experience and operations in 13 countries.
For more information, please visit mbta.com or connect with the T on X @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta.
Photo Credit: John Andrews / @creativecollectivema
