North Shore Commuter Rail Discount Summer Travel Begins Saturday

BEVERLY, MA — A round trip from Beverly, Salem, Swampscott to Boston will be less than $5 on the commuter rail starting Saturday as state transportation officials look for ways to ease travel times in and out of the city during the Sumner Tunnel shutdown.

Through Aug. 31, all stops along the Rockport and Newburyport lines will be considered Zone 1A rate stations. It will cost commuters $2.40 for a one-way trip between any station on the lines and those who buy monthly passes can be Zone 1A passes.

With driving times along some alternative routes expected to double once the Sumner Tunnel closes for about two months on July 5, the average trip from Salem or Swampscott to Boston is about 40 minutes.

Trains will run about every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours.

Free commuter rail parking will be available at the Beverly and North Beverly lots.

Parking will be reduced to $2 per day at the Salem and Swampscott lots.

Commuters are also reminded that ferry service is now available from Lynn at the Blossom Street Pier to Long Wharf South. Ferry service is on weekdays only with 10 trips per day. For the next two months, ferry service will also be considered a Zone 1A station and will cost $2.40 each way.

Free parking is available at the Blossom Street Pier parking lot.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)