The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) executed a smooth test run of its special event train service on Thursday, transporting soccer fans to Gillette Stadium for a friendly match between France and Brazil. This event served as a crucial preliminary trial before the agency implements expanded service for the upcoming World Cup.

Successful Trial Run for World Cup Preparations

The transit agency confirmed that over 3,000 tickets were sold for these special event trains running from South Station to Foxboro. Crucially, all trains operated without any reported incidents or delays, marking a positive assessment for future high-capacity events.

Executive Assessment and Service Adjustments

T Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan described the execution of the friendly match service as a definite success during an interview on Friday. Coholan noted that the event provided a valuable opportunity to practice service modifications planned for the Foxborough route. The planned service capacity for Thursday's trial was approximately 6,000 passengers.

The MBTA employed specific operational techniques to maximize passenger movement for this event. Trains traveled directly from South Station to Foxboro Station before returning to their origin point to pick up additional riders. This process utilized a Mansfield commuter rail stop to facilitate turning back toward Boston.

Coholan stated that this operational "recycling" procedure proceeded "without a hitch." To streamline boarding, passengers were divided into two distinct groups, a method similar to airline boarding procedures. The T last utilized this specific technique during the 2023 Army-Navy game held at Foxborough.

Service Changes and Passenger Experience

To accommodate the four bi-level event trains, regular service to Foxboro Station was temporarily suspended on Thursday. Furthermore, several other transit lines experienced schedule adjustments. Typically, the agency runs one train for regular Patriots games, though it has deployed up to five trains for major events like the Army-Navy game, according to Massachusetts Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng.

Boarding procedures began with the first train scheduled to leave South Station at 12:45 p.m., with staggered boarding times managed by separating riders into two queues along Summer Street, where staff checked tickets.

Brenda Belgamo, a college student who took the train, mentioned that finding the South Station to Foxboro tickets required "some digging online." However, she found the process straightforward once the information was located, stating, "once I figured it out, it was pretty easy.”

Passenger Feedback on Organization

Passengers who spoke with WBUR reported a seamless boarding experience for the trains heading to Foxboro Station. Estefania Guerrero, who rode the initial departing train with her boyfriend, Ismail Harchaoui, had concerns about event service scaling up for the World Cup.

Guerrero, however, found the queuing process "pretty organized" and swift, despite the long lines. Harchaoui agreed, stating, "We didn’t wait that much, and I feel like everything was smooth.” Guerrero contrasted this ease with past experiences, noting, “I definitely went to Gillette and had to wait three hours in a parking garage just waiting to get out... So this just makes it so much easier.”

Looking Ahead to the World Cup

Thursday’s successful operation was only a small preview of the extensive service the MBTA plans for the World Cup tournament this summer. The agency has committed to transporting 20,000 attendees per match to the stadium via commuter rail, utilizing 14 dedicated event trains.

MBTA event train tickets specifically for the World Cup games will become available for purchase starting April 8. The first World Cup match scheduled at Gillette Stadium is set for June 13.