Press Release: 10/7/2026
MBTA Hosts Fall Rail Ride on November 7, mTickets on sale October 19
October 6, 2026
Scenic special MBTA train ride connects passengers to guided bicycle tour or car-free afternoon in Newburyport.
The MBTA today announced that its second annual Fall Rail Ride will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Departing from North Station and operating express to Newburyport, this “Rails & Trails” train will connect riders with a guided autumnal bicycle tour along scenic municipal bike trails or offer passengers a car-free afternoon to enjoy all that Newburyport has to offer. More information is available at mbta.com/FallRide.
“We are excited to again offer this special Fall Rail Ride to the public, and we encourage passengers to buy their tickets as soon as they can – last year’s Fall Rail Ride sold out quickly! With so much to enjoy in Massachusetts all year long, the Commuter Rail offers the public a truly unique way to experience the spirit and beauty of the autumn season,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Much like our CapeFLYER, Haunted Happenings, football trains, and other special event services, the Fall Rail Ride is another great example of the many ways the public can utilize mass transportation. More than just commuting for work, it connects communities and allows friends and families to enjoy all the fall festivities that New England has to offer. We thank our partners at MassDOT, the city of Newburyport, and Keolis for collaborating with us on this year’s special offering, and we look forward to continuing this annual tradition at the T.”
Train Information
The Fall Rail Ride will operate direct between North Station and Newburyport, departing North Station at 11 AM and arriving at noon. The ticket cost includes the return trip, departing Newburyport at 4 PM and arriving back at North Station at 5 PM.
Round-trip tickets for the Fall Rail Ride are $20 each and will be sold exclusively on the mTicket app beginning at 11 AM on Monday, October 19, 2026. Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance – last year’s Fall Rail Ride sold out quickly.
Passengers can choose between a Passenger Only ticket to enjoy an afternoon in Newburyport, or a Passenger + Bike ticket to bring a bike aboard the train. The train includes special bicycle coaches able to accommodate 75 bikes, a café car stocked with local beers from breweries along the Newburyport line and a fall-themed menu of items available for purchase, and children will receive a free activity bag onboard to enjoy on the trip. A t-shirt to commemorate the experience will also be available for purchase on board the train within the café car.
The Fall Rail Ride ticket also functions as a Weekend Commuter Rail Pass, allowing passengers to access the entire Commuter Rail network for the entire weekend, November 7 – 8.
Bicycle Tour and Car-Free Afternoon Information
Passengers with bicycles will be offered an autumnal and picturesque guided tour by MassDOT staff along the area’s most scenic trails. A map of the bike trail ride is available here. An extremely limited number of bicycles will also be available for rent through Port Bikeshare.
Passengers without bicycles can also enjoy the Clipper City Rail Trail on foot from Newburyport Station to Newburyport’s downtown area, which is about a 25-minute walk (approximately one mile). Merrimack Valley Transit (MEVA) Regional Transit Authority vehicles will also be onsite to assist passengers with travel options between the station and downtown for the afternoon. For a convenient list of places to visit in Newburyport, visit massbytrain.com/stations/newburyport/.