Transportation in 495/MetroWest

The 495/MetroWest region is served by three MBTA Commuter Rail lines, five Regional Transit Authorities, and several Transportation Management Associations.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The 495/MetroWest region is home to a substantial number of electric vehicle charging stations. Pulling data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, the 495/MetroWest Partnership has created an interactive map of all public and private electric vehicle charging stations in our service area as of January 2024. To learn more about the data that was used to publish this map, click here.

Commuter Rail

The 495/MetroWest region is served by three MBTA Commuter Rail lines:

Fitchburg Line (stations South Acton and Littleton/ Route 495)
Framingham/ Worcester Line (stations Natick Center, West Natick, Framingham, Ashland, Southborough, Westborough, and Grafton)
Franklin/ Foxborough Line (stations Foxborough, Norfolk, Franklin, and Forge Park/ 495)

Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)

The 495/MetroWest region is served by five Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs):

Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA). Serving Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Medway, Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham
Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA). Serving Acton, Littleton (Commuter Rail), Maynard, Westford
MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority (MWRTA). Serving Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland
Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART). Serving Bolton, Boxborough, Harvard, Littleton, Stow
Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA). Serving Berlin, Grafton, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough (Commuter Rail), Westborough

Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)

The 495/MetroWest region is served by two active Transportation Management Associations (TMAs):

CrossTown Connect (Acton, Maynard, Littleton, Sudbury, Westford)
Neponset Valley TMA (Foxborough)

Trails

The 495/MetroWest region is home to numerous rail trails and other multi-use paths which enhance options for walking and biking. Click here to learn more about trails located within our service area.

Our Transportation Advocacy & Priorities

The 495/MetroWest Partnership's Transportation Committee focuses on regional mobility and enhancing transportation options in the region, addressing areas such as municipal roads and bridges, highway infrastructure, traffic congestion, commuter rail, regional transportation authorities, transit modernization and long-term visioning, interagency coordination, workforce transportation, complete streets projects, and transportation policy. Click here to learn more about recent or upcoming Transportation Committee work.

In accordance with our organization’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, the 495/MetroWest Partnership's Transportation Committee established working groups for the purpose of reviewing and updating regional priorities on the key transportation topics of commuter rail service, Regional Transit Authority services, and roadway projects of regional significance. These working groups met throughout 2023; participation was open to any interested 495/MetroWest stakeholder. Each working group drafted an updated Vision and Priorities statement, outlining the organization's vision for what improvements in each category will look like, as well as specific, actionable priorities necessary to realize these visions. These drafts were reviewed and adopted by vote of the Partnership's Board of Directors. Each Vision and Priorities statement can be found below.