{"id":3705,"date":"2014-03-24T10:20:22","date_gmt":"2014-03-24T14:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/?page_id=3705"},"modified":"2025-07-07T12:33:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T16:33:41","slug":"commuter-rail","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/commuter-rail\/","title":{"rendered":"Commuter Rail"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">How to Use the Needham Line Commuter Rail<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman;\">Going to Downtown Boston, Back Bay, MFA, Logan Airport?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><b>Relax and Enjoy the View!<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MBTATrain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-4186 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/MBTATrain.jpg\" alt=\"MBTATrain\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Current Schedule: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Commuter Rail trains run <strong>every day of the week.<\/strong>\u00a0 See the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/schedules\/CR-Needham\/timetable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interactive schedule<\/a> where you choose the direction (inbound or outbound) and day of travel. That page also has a link to a regular pdf schedule.<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Needham Stations: <\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction, Hersey (Great Plain Ave. at Broad Meadow Rd.)<\/li>\n<li><b><b>Tip: Watch for signs indicating where to board the train during non-peak hours. <\/b><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Needham-Center-Train-Station1.jpg\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-4184 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Needham-Center-Train-Station1.jpg\" alt=\"Needham Center Train Station1\" width=\"174\" height=\"76\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Need an intro to the system? See the MBTA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/guides\/commuter-rail-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beginner&#8217;s Guide to the Commuter Rail<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Ticket Prices as of August 2025 (Needham is Zone 2):<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>What a deal!!<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/fares\/10-commuter-rail-weekend-and-holiday-passes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$10 Weekend Commuter Rail Pass<\/a><\/strong> Enjoy unlimited travel on the Commuter Rail for just $10 every weekend. Passes can be bought on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/mbta-endorsed-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mTicket app<\/a>, on board with cash or credit card, or at the ticket windows at North, South, and Back Bay Stations. Passes are valid on all lines and zones, Saturdays, Sundays and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/fares\/commuter-rail-weekends#holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">select holidays.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/fares\/commuter-rail-fares\/zones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Zone 2 Regular Tickets and Passes<\/strong><\/a>: Single:<strong> $7.00 <\/strong>each way; <strong>$14.00<\/strong> round trip; monthly pass<strong> $232.00; <\/strong>monthly pass on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/mbta-endorsed-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mTicket App<\/a><strong> $222.00. <\/strong>Children 11 years old and younger ride for<strong> free <\/strong>when accompanied by a paying adult (up to two children per adult). <strong>Fares at 50% Discount<\/strong> (and free for the blind\/visually impaired) are available for seniors 65+, persons with disabilities, and others. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mbta.com\/fares_and_passes\/reduced_fare_programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reduced Fares<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/fares\/reduced\/senior-charliecard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong>\u00a0 Learn how seniors can<\/strong> <strong>apply for a new, renewal, or replacement Senior CharlieCard online or by appointment.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>How Do I Buy Tickets? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">(You cannot use a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket or the new Tap to Ride system.)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cash or credit card on the train: Buy single or roundtrip tickets. <\/strong>Careful! If you board the train at a station that sells tickets (North, South, or Back Bay Station only), buy the ticket at a machine or ticket window rather than on the train, to avoid a $3 surcharge.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use your Smartphone. <\/strong>Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/mbta-endorsed-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mTicketsmartphone app<\/a> to buy one-way, roundtrip, 5-day Flex Passes, and monthly Commuter Rail passes for all zones.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buy<\/strong> <strong>at major stations<\/strong>: buy <strong>Zone 2<\/strong> one-way or roundtrip tickets or monthly passes at North, South, or Back Bay stations.<\/li>\n<li>Use your monthly commuter rail pass. (available <a href=\"https:\/\/commerce.mbta.com\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">online)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Parking:<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to park:<\/strong> Parking is available at Hersey (largest lot), Needham Junction, and Needham Heights. Needham Center has parking by permit only.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Pay<\/strong>: Either by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\/pay-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PayByPhone or by waiting to get an invoice<\/a> (monthly invoice has $1 surcharge for each day of unpaid parking). You can sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paybyphone.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PayByPhone<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.paybyphone.com\/drivers\/how-it-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">downloading the app<\/a> onto your smartphone. Or, when you park, you can dial 1-866-234-7275 and pay by credit card. Through PayByPhone you can pay for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\/pay-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">daily parking<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\/pay-month\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">monthly parking passes<\/a>. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MBTA Parking Overview.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\/stations-and-rates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parking Fees<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hersey and Needham Heights: $4 weekday; $2 weekend. Monthly pass available.<\/li>\n<li>Needham Junction: $6 weekday; $2 weekend. Monthly pass available.<\/li>\n<li>Needham Center: a Town Permit is required. Contact Town of Needham Parking clerk at 781 455-7500.<\/li>\n<li>Set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.paybyphone.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PaybyPhone account<\/a><\/li>\n<li>If you are not a regular commuter or would prefer not to sign up for PayByPhone, an invoice notice will be mailed to the vehicle\u2019s registered owner for every day the vehicle is found unpaid in the parking lot at the end of each month. The invoice will include a $1.00 surcharge per day in addition to the parking fee.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbta.com\/parking\/pay-your-parking-ticket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> More information<\/a> about parking invoices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Where can I go on the Needham Line<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>From Ruggles Station:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walk to Northeastern University, Museum of Fine Arts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>From Back Bay Station:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b>Walk to Copley Square, Boston Public Library, Copley Place, Newbury St. shopping and restaurants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>From South Station:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walk to the Financial District and Chinatown, the Boston Greenway, State House<\/li>\n<li>Walk or take the Silver Line to the Waterfront district<\/li>\n<li>Take the Silver Line to Logan Airport<\/li>\n<li>Access the Red Line subway to get to the State House\/Beacon Hill, Harvard Square, and many other locations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other pages in this section<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-pages-shortcode sibling-pages\"><li class=\"page_item page-item-3705\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/commuter-rail\/\">Commuter Rail<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3709\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/riverside-d-green-line\/\">Riverside (D) Green Line<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3707\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/59-bus\/\">59 Bus<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3715\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/charlie-card\/\">Charlie Card and Charlie Tickets<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3711\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/walking\/\">Walking\/Hiking<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3713\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/transportation\/biking\/\">Biking<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"gnc-resources-header\">Resources<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"gnc-resources-subheader\">Documents<\/h5>\n\t\t<ul class=\"documents\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\n<h5 class=\"gnc-resources-subheader\">Resources on the Web<\/h5>\n<!-- Links --><table style=\"margin:0;padding:0;\"><\/table>\n<!-- \/Links -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Use the Needham Line Commuter Rail.  Going to Downtown Boston, Back Bay, MFA, Logan Airport?  Relax and Enjoy the View! &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":4185,"parent":3666,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3705","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3705\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}