Derailment Near South Station Disrupts MBTA Commuter Rail

Slow-speed derailment impacts trains to and from Boston's major transit hub

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A train derailment near Boston's South Station on Friday evening caused delays and cancellations across multiple MBTA Commuter Rail lines during the evening rush hour. The derailment involved a single coach on a Providence Line train, with about 350 passengers on board at the time. No injuries were reported.

Why it matters

South Station is a major transit hub for the MBTA Commuter Rail system, serving thousands of passengers each day. Disruptions to service at this key location can have widespread impacts across the regional rail network, affecting commuters and travelers throughout the Greater Boston area.

The details

According to Keolis, the commuter rail operator, the slow-speed derailment occurred between South Station and Back Bay station. As a result, trains on the Framingham, Needham, Providence, New Bedford, and Stoughton lines experienced delays and cancellations during the Friday evening rush hour.

  • The derailment occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026 during the evening commute.

The players

Keolis

The company that operates the MBTA Commuter Rail system.

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What they’re saying

“Trains scheduled to arrive or depart from South Station are experiencing delays and cancellations due to a slow-speed derailment of a single coach on Providence Line Train 851 between South Station and Back Bay.”

— Keolis spokesperson (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Keolis has advised passengers to check @MBTA_CR_Alerts on X for updates on service changes and restoration.

The takeaway

This derailment highlights the vulnerability of Boston's transit infrastructure and the cascading impacts that can occur when disruptions happen at a major hub like South Station. It underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and safety measures to ensure reliable commuter rail service for the region.