the newly formed mbta began subsidizing b&m commuter service on january 18, 1965. the fitchburg line was cut back to west concord - the outer limit of the mbta funding district. fitchburg reopened on january 13, 1980 as part of an extension of the line from south acton to gardner. fitchburg was the outer terminus of fitchburg line service from the closure of gardner in early 1987 to the opening of wachusett station in september 2016.