Passenger rail service will run from Boston to Hyannis next summer in an effort to alleviate Cape Cod bridge congestion, but despite recent reports to the contrary, the train won't be stopping in Wareham, at least not for the first year.

"There will not be a Wareham stop this year," said Tom Cahir, administrator of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, before noting: "In subsequent years, it's very reasonable to think that that could happen."

The trains will travel from South Station in Boston to the Hyannis Transportation Center on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with a stop in Buzzards Bay. Tickets are estimated to cost approximately $30. Schedules have not yet been finalized.

Cahir explained that the 13-week service is a "quick pilot" designed to ease traffic, and in an effort to get the ball rolling for next summer, the transit authority opted not to add additional stops.

Cahir said some improvements will need to be made before trains can stop in Wareham.

"There are some parking needs that need to happen, maybe some capital improvements, … and we're very much willing to work on some of those things," Cahir said. "At some point, we're going to be in touch" with town officials.

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority has been negotiating the service with MassDOT and the MBTA for the past year.

"It's going to be marketed as a car-free experience for Cape Cod," Cahir said. "It's just another option, for folks who visit Cape Cod, to visit without their cars."

Whether Wareham could see rail service has been discussed frequently over the past few years.

Massachusetts Coastal Railroad had hoped to establish a Monday-through-Friday "feeder" service to the Middleborough commuter rail station, with a stop in Wareham, back in 2010. That plan never materialized.

Community and Economic Development Authority Director Salvador Pina said that in order for passenger rail to be successful in Wareham, a number of things would need to happen.

Pina would like to develop the harbor in downtown Wareham, and potentially offer ferries to Martha's Vineyard and elsewhere.

Also on Pina's list is building up Merchants Way with attractions and activities that would exploit the waterfront.

"The train can't work by itself," Pina explained. "You need other components."

As far as commuter rail is concerned, Pina said the town — and whoever might be operating a passenger rail service — would need to know that there is enough ridership to warrant a stop in Wareham.

In addition to the question of where cars would park, there are other logistical issues that would have to be solved. For instance, the town would have to determine where the train would stop.

However, the town wouldn't have to start from scratch when researching the options.

In 2005, the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) completed a site analysis for an intermodal transportation center in Wareham.

After examining several sites — including the Tremont Nail complex, downtown Wareham, Minot Avenue, Depot Street, and the rear of Cranberry Plaza and Walmart in East Wareham — the study committee determined the area of the Mill Pond Diner and Tremont Nail complex would be ideal for a transportation center.

Pina said he'd like to consider all of the options, if and when the time comes.

"I certainly would love to see the train stop in Wareham," said Pina, "but personally, I think that's a ways away."