Tickets are officially on sale for the South Coast Rail, now with another added perk for users of the commuter rail service, which is set to launch Monday.

On Thursday, Healey-Driscoll Administration and the MBTA announced that in addition to fare-free weekend service through April, South Coast Rail weekday fares will also be free through the end of March.

The joint press release also confirmed that the MBTA is on schedule to begin  South Coast Rail passenger service the morning of March 24. Schedules are posted on mbta.com. 

"We are so excited to be on the South Coast on Monday to celebrate the launch of rail service for these communities,” Healey stated in the release. “We’re proud to now be offering free service all day, every day on the Fall River/New Bedford Line through the end of March to express our gratitude to the community and encourage residents to take the train.” 

This will be the first time the region has had passenger rail service in 65 years. 

“The MBTA is proud to launch South Coast Rail service; a truly monumental moment for these communities that we will now serve directly and for so many that have long advocated for this service. To celebrate this accomplishment, we’re pleased to offer free weekday fares through March 31 in addition to free weekends through April,” MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng stated in a release. “Whether you’re traveling from Fall River or New Bedford to downtown Boston or heading toward southeastern Mass. to enjoy their many community offerings, we welcome new and even more passengers to experience the benefits of this new transit expansion. Leave the driving to us, Take the T!”  

What to know about free South Coast Rail service 

Fare-free weekday service will be available on the Fall River and New Bedford lines each weekday from March 24-31. 

As previously announced, fare-free service will be available on the Fall River and New Bedford lines on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) between March 29 and April 27, and on Patriots Day, April 21.  

Passengers can ride for free if they are boarding or ending their ride at one of the six South Coast Rail stations. Riders should share their origin and destination stations with conductors in order to receive free travel. 

This offer is only valid on the Fall River and New Bedford lines and does not apply to trains on other commuter rail lines.    

Regular commuter rail fares will go into effect on weekdays beyond March 31 and weekends after April.

Free parking promotion

Commuter rail parking at the six South Coast rail station lots – Middleboro, East Taunton, Freetown, Church Street, Fall River Depot, and New Bedford – will be free March 24 through April 30.  

Standard parking rates for South Coast Rail stations are $4 per day on weekdays and $2 per day on weekends/holidays. 

For more information, visit mbta.com/SouthCoastRail. 

How do you buy South Coast Rail tickets

Fares for the new Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Rail Line can be purchased using the mTicket app for iOS and Android. A fare purchased with mTicket is valid anytime for 90 days after buying it; passengers activate tickets once they board. 

Riders can buy one-way, round trip, 10-ride or monthly tickets with the mTicket app, which accepts debit cards or Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. 

Tickets can also be bought with cash on board. 

For more information, visit at mbta.com/mTicket.