Fitchburg man attempts to set Guinness World Record on the MBTA

CANTON, Mass. — Martyn Royce has punched a ticket to ride. And ride. And ride. And ride.

It’s safe to say the Fitchburg man has been everywhere. “First thing this morning, at 4:15 a.m. I got to Worcester, back to Back Bay and then Back Bay to Wickford Junction. Then Wickford Junction and back here and now here I am,” he said while waiting for his next train at Canton Junction.

The UK native, who works for Keolis, immigrated to the United States two years ago. He is attempting to set the official Guinness World Record for the fastest time to travel through every MBTA Commuter Rail Station. All 132.

Martyn began the two-day challenge Monday morning. He says he’s using his journey as an opportunity to raise the profile of rail travel and raise money for the American Cancer Society. Martyn’s mother-in-law is battling breast cancer and he lost a cousin to cancer four years ago. “He’s the kind of person who would be looking for me on this trip with a big, big smile on his face thinking this is your kind of style. This is quirky. This is different. This is special,” Martyn said.

Others have set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to travel to all subway stations, but Martyn says he’s the first to go for it on the Commuter Rail. Along the way, he’s chatted with every conductor he’s met onboard. “They all have met it with an awful lot of enthusiasm, but it’s fair to say a few of them, in equal measure, think I’m absolutely nuts, which is fine, they’re not wrong,” he said.

Either way, it’s a wild ride, worthy of a world record. Martyn said his 2-day, 684 mile record-setting trip took months to plan out due to all the logistics involved.

To donate to Martyn’s cause, click here.

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