CapeFlyer Expanding Capacity Amid Higher Demand

Courtesy of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority.

HYANNIS – After a few weeks of packed CapeFlyer trains coming to Cape Cod, capacity has been expanded.

Another bi-level train car was added at the request of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority to provide more seats and space for passengers, along with another bathroom.

The CapeFlyer weekend train service runs between Boston’s South Station and Hyannis, with stops in Braintree, Brockton, Middleborough, Wareham, Buzzards Bay and Bourne.

Regional Transit Authority Administrator Tom Cahir said the extra seating was added before this past weekend’s trips.

“A couple of weeks ago, for the first time, the train was packed,” Cahir said.

“There weren’t too many seats left and we’ve never had an issue where there weren’t enough seats for every rider.”

Cahir said ridership was high this past weekend, the first with the expanded capacity.

“There was plenty of room for people to get on and off,” he said.

Cahir said the goal is to make sure that everyone has a convenient and fun trip to Cape Cod.

Ridership continues to grow on the CapeFlyer, which is now in its seventh season.

“I think it has probably been our most successful year,” Cahir said.

Cahir believes the addition of the Bourne stop, on the south side of the canal, has led to the increased ridership.

Cahir said he travels to that stop every Friday and Sunday night to count passengers and talk to riders about their experience.

“It’s extraordinary how genuinely excited and pleased people are with the convenience of that south side stop for people in North Falmouth, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Sagamore, Mashpee and Falmouth,” Cahir said.

Cahir said this past weekend there were issues on Friday and Saturday with delays, which he said is a first for the CapeFlyer. Breakdowns in the Back Bay and Hyde Park areas of Boston caused the delays.

“One thing that I have always stressed with the folks from the T on day one was that we need to make sure these trains are on time,” he said.

The effort includes coordination from the Army Corps of Engineers to make sure the train bridge over the canal goes up and down when it needs to.

Up until this weekend Cahir said there had never been a problem.

“I’ve always been so pleased that all of our trains have been punctual,” he said.

Cahir said he has contacted Keolis Commuter Services, the company which operates the T, and said the CapeFlyer is not like commuter rail service where riders anticipate breakdowns every week.

“This is a 15-week service and people coming to the Cape don’t want to be inconvenienced and have to sit on a train for an hour or two longer than they anticipated,” Cahir said.

Other than the past weekend, Cahir said the CapeFlyer has been an overwhelmingly successful and pleasing experience.

Cahir also praised the work of Kathy Jensen, the Consumer Affairs Manager for the CCRTA, to promote the CapeFlyer on social media with upcoming events on Cape Cod to attract visitors.

“She works hard at it and we go over the numbers, and we look at ways to improve every single week,” Cahir said.

“I attribute our success mainly to her and our team that really works hard to make this whole CapeFlyer a success.”

For schedules and ticket information, visit CapeFlyer.com.

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