MBTA boat

The MBTA boat or MBTA ferry system is a public boat service providing water transportation in Boston Harbor. It is operated by Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) under contract to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The system consists of three routes that terminate in downtown Boston. F1 service runs from Rowes Wharf to Hewitt's Cove in Hingham. F2H service runs from Long Wharf to Hewitt's Cove, with some trips stopping at Logan Airport, Pemberton Point in Hull, and/or some of the Boston Harbor Islands. F4 service runs in the inner harbor between Long Wharf and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Two additional seasonal routes, not funded by the MBTA but included on some MBTA documents, run from Boston to Salem and Winthrop.

MBTA boat
The Glory on the F2H route in September 2018
WaterwayBoston Harbor
OperatorBoston Harbor Cruises (under contract to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority)
System length38 miles (61 km)[1]
No. of lines3 (plus two non-MBTA routes)
No. of terminals7 (MBTA)[1]
Daily ridership5,070 (2016)[1]
Route map
Route
F3/F4
 Navy Yard
F3/F5
 Lovejoy Wharf
(
closed
2005
)
F2H/F4
 Long Wharf
F2H
 Logan Airport
F1
 Rowes Wharf
F5
 Fan Pier
(
closed
2005
)
F5
 World Trade Center
(
closed
2005
)
F2H
 Georges Island
(seasonal)
F2H
 Pemberton Point, Hull
F2H
 Grape Island
(seasonal)
F2/F2H
 Quincy Shipyard
(
closed
2013
)
F1/F2H
 Hewitt's Cove, Hingham
F0
Route not in service
F0
Terminus

In the 19th century, numerous steamship routes ran from Boston to various destinations in the inner harbor, North Shore, and South Shore, plus routes to elsewhere in New England and to Europe. Ferry service declined in the late 19th century and 20th century due to competition from railways, streetcars, and finally automobiles; by the 1930s, only summer routes plus the East Boston ferry remained. Year round service to Hull was reintroduced in 1963, and was then the only commuter ferry service in the country. This was followed by Hingham service in 1975, tourist-oriented Charlestown service in 1979, and Quincy service in 1996 – as well as several other short-lived routes. Most routes were either unsubsidized or state-funded; from 1986 to 2002, they gradually became subsidized by the MBTA. Service to Quincy and Hull was combined in 1998; in 2013, the Quincy terminal was replaced by Hingham due to wharf damage.

The MBTA owns two ferries used on the F2H route; BHC owns ferries used on the F1 and F4 routes. The ferry system has the highest on-time performance and farebox recovery ratio of MBTA service types. However, it is only a small component of MBTA service: in 2014, the three MBTA-funded routes carried 5,070 passengers per weekday – about 0.3% of total MBTA ridership.

Routes

Inner Harbor ferry
A ferry on the F4 route in 2006
  • F4 Boston (Long Wharf)–Charlestown Navy Yard service runs year-round on weekdays with ferries operating on 15-minute headways at rush hour and 30-minute headways at other times, and on a reduced schedule on weekends.[2] The fare is $3.70; Zone 1A passes on CharlieCards are accepted.[3]

Boat service between Boston and Charlestown ended in 1786 after the completion of the Charles River Bridge.[4] The Winnisimmet Ferry to Chelsea ran until January 1917, with a brief revival starting on May 15, 1990 during early Big Dig construction.[5][6][7] Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) began tourist-oriented service, funded by the National Park Service, between Long Wharf and the Navy Yard in June 1979. In June 1987, this was switched to general-purpose ferry service funded by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.[4] In October 1988, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works (DPW) began a four-year reconfiguration of the interchange between the Tobin Bridge and the Charlestown High Bridge. Charlestown ferry service was then increased, with funding from the DPW via the MBTA, and increased again in 1989.[4] In 2004, the MBTA began directly funding the service.[4]

Two additional routes – the F3 Lovejoy Wharf–Boston Navy Yard and F5 Lovejoy Wharf–World Trade Center via Moakley Courthouse – began operation in 1997 during Big Dig construction.[8] They were discontinued on January 21, 2005 due to low ridership.[8][9] The F5X Lovejoy Wharf–World Trade Center express route was not funded by the MBTA and was run until February 24, 2006.[9] A one-year pilot of a privately funded Lovejoy Wharf–Fan Pier route, intended mostly as a private employee shuttle, began in January 2019. It is overseen by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority on behalf of private companies in the Seaport, rather than by the MBTA.[10] The fare for public riders was substantially reduced in April 2019.[11]

F4 service was indefinitely suspended on March 17, 2020 due to reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] On June 22, 75% of weekday service was restored, though weekend service remains suspended.[13] F4 service was again temporarily suspended on January 23, 2021.[14]

East Boston
Former East Boston dock, used from 1995 to 1997

Ferry service to East Boston began in 1832. The North Ferry (Battery Street to Border Street) ended in 1938 after the 1934 opening of the Sumner Tunnel; the BRB&L ferry (Rowes Wharf to Jeffries Point) ended in 1940, while the South Ferry (Sargent Wharf to Lewis Wharf) lasted until 1952.[15][7] City-run service ran from a new wharf at Lewis Street to Long Wharf from 1995 to 1997; it was discontinued due to extremely low ridership (an average of 1.3 passengers per trip) as the Blue Line provided a faster and more frequent service along the same corridor.[16][17]

In 2011, then-mayor Thomas Menino proposed ferry service between East Boston and Fan Pier on the South Boston Waterfront, a route without current direct transit service.[16] In August 2012, the Federal Highway Administration awarded $1.28 million to the city for the purchase of two boats.[18] In September 2012, the Boston Redevelopment Authority accepted the grant and agreed to rehabilitate the East Boston Marine Terminal for the ferries, which were then expected to begin operation in 2013.[19] In August 2014, the MBTA opened bidding for providing the two boats for East Boston service.[20] However, the grant was less than the actual cost of two boats, and plans for the service stalled.[21]

South Shore
The MBTA-owned Flying Cloud at Long Wharf on F2/F2H service in 2004

Ferry service between Boston and Hingham began in 1832; after the South Shore Railroad began operation in 1849, ferries served largely recreational traffic rather than commuters. Service to Hull was added in 1848 (first Allerton Harbor, later Pemberton Point), and to Nantasket Beach in 1869.[4] Service to the Hingham shipyard ended in 1898, though some service to Crow's Point lasted until 1923. Most of the Nantasket Boat Lines ferries were destroyed in a 1929 fire. The service was increasingly unprofitable to run; only summer service lasted past 1933. Hingham service ended in 1952; the last remains of Nantasket service ended in 1963.[4] Massachusetts Bay Lines (MBL) restored year-round Pemberton Point–Boston service in March 1963 – then the only commuter ferry service in the country – followed by seasonal Nantasket service in 1964.[4] Bay State Cruises took over the route in 1980. Paragon Park closed in 1985, and Nantasket service ended again in 1992. In 1996, Bay State Cruises sold the Hull route to Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC), who obtained an MBTA subsidy.[4]

Renewed Rowes Wharf–Hingham service began with a single round trip on October 6, 1975.[23][4] The service was initiated by Ed King, then director of the Massachusetts Port Authority.[24] Service was run by several operators, sometimes with state funding, most of the next eight years. In March 1983, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Services began eleven subsidized round trips (reduced to eight that June). The state began subsidizing eight additional round trips by Boston Harbor Commuter Services in 1984 during Southeast Expressway reconstruction. The MBTA began subsidizing service in 1986; after 1991, only Boston Harbor Commuter Services received a subsidy.[4] In the 1990s, expanded ferry service was proposed as an alternative to the controversial return of commuter rail service on the Greenbush Line.[23] Boston Harbor Cruises (which had briefly operated Hingham service in 1978) took over the Hingham–Boston service in 1997.[4]

The MBTA-owned Lightning at Quincy on F2/F2H service in 2008

In 1996, Water Transportation Associates (WTA), doing business as Harbor Express, began service between Fore River Shipyard in Quincy and Long Wharf via Logan Airport. Two ferries and five years of operations were funded by then-shipyard owner General Dynamics. Quincy–Logan service began on November 18, 1996, with Long Wharf service added several weeks later.[4] In 1998, the MBTA and BHC failed to reach a subsidy agreement. MBTA-subsidized Hull stops were added to several existing WTA Boston-Hingham trips.[4] After the original funding ran out in 2001, the state funded service for the first half of 2002. In April 2002, the MBTA bought the WTA assets (two ferries, the Quincy terminal, and the Long Wharf lease); the WTA later won the contract to run the service.[4] The MBTA designated the Hingham–Boston service as F1 and Quincy–Boston as F2, with trips serving Hull called F2H.[9] Attempts in 2010 and 2011 to restore summer weekend service to Nantasket failed due to high fuel costs.[25] On July 1, 2013, BHC took over Hingham services from WTA.[26]

Quincy service was temporarily discontinued on October 14, 2013, with boats redirected to Hingham, when a water main break added to existing structural problems with the sea wall at the Quincy wharf. In January 2014, the MBTA made the closure (and increased Hingham service) permanent after it was determined that repairs would cost $15 million for five years of additional service, or $50 million for 50 years. The damage also forced the closure of the USS Salem museum.[27][28] Quincy proposed Squantum Point as an alternative terminal to maintain ferry service to the city.[29] In July 2014, a neighboring shipyard purchased the Quincy site from the MBTA. The Salem was to be moved to East Boston in 2015; however, in February 2016 it was determined that it would stay in Quincy and eventually reopen.[30][31] In 2019, Quincy submitted an application to the MBTA to establish Squatum–Logan–Boston service in 2020.[32]

Weekend summer service on the F2H route, last operated in 1998 and 1999, was introduced on May 24, 2014.[33] The Hingham Intermodal Center was opened in January 2017, providing a larger waiting area and ticketing facilities.[34] On January 2, 2018, ferry service to Hingham was indefinitely suspended due to ice damage to the dock during severe cold the previous week.[35] Service resumed on January 15 after repairs to the dock.[36]

F1 and F2H service was suspended on March 17, 2020 due to reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] On June 22, 75% of weekday service was restored, though weekend service remained suspended.[13] F1 service was again temporarily suspended on January 23, 2021, with limited F2H service continuing to operate.[14]

North Shore
The Salem Fast Ferry in June 2009

Two summer-only routes to the North Shore are not funded by the MBTA but are included on MBTA maps:

  • Salem Fast Ferry – operates from Salem Ferry Terminal to Long Wharf. Four round trips are run Mondays through Wednesdays, and five round trips on other days. Fares are $8 for commuters and $25 for others; MBTA Zone 3 passes are accepted only on some weekday trips.[37]
  • Winthrop Ferry – operates from Winthrop Ferry Terminal to Central Wharf, with stops at Fan Pier and Marina Bay on most trips. Three round trips are run on weekdays and weekends.[38] Fares are $6; MBTA passes are not accepted.

Steamboat service between Salem and Boston was run at various points between 1818 and 1931; because of competition from the Eastern Railroad, it was largely intended for recreation. Service to Winthrop was operated during several periods between 1840 and 1898; it too was largely out-competed by the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad for the commuter market. Lynn service was operated in the 1870s, and between 1892 and 1908.[4] Ferry service between Boston and Salem was operated during the summer of 1998 by WTA, funded by a state grant. BHC ran unsubsidized service in the summers of 1999 and 2000.[4] Salem service resumed on June 22, 2006, with a ferry funded largely by a $2.3 million state grant.[39] It was operated by WTA during the summers of 2006 to 2011; BHC took over the service without subsidy in 2012.[4] In 2009, Salem began allowing MBTA Commuter Rail passes to be used on certain peak-hour trips.[40]

Winthrop service, run by BHC under a three-year state grant, began on August 2, 2010 and lasted until 2012. A local charter operator ran some unsubsidized service in 2013.[4] Service resumed on April 16, 2016 with a town-owned vessel operated by town employees. The Marina Bay stop (previously served by several short-lived services between 1977 and 1997) was added on August 16, 2016.[4] The Boston terminal was at Fan Pier from April to June 2017, then Rowes Wharf (with an intermediate Fan Pier stop) for the remainder of the summer. Central Wharf became the Boston terminal in 2018.[4] The service's high cost and low reliability has attracted criticism; it was not run for six weeks in 2019 due to mechanical issues and lack of staff.[41][42]

The Lynn Ferry formerly operated from Lynn Ferry Terminal to Central Wharf. Service began on May 19, 2014 with three weekday round trips, as a two-year pilot program funded by the state.[43] Fares were $3.50; MBTA Commuter Rail passes from Zone 2 or above were accepted for fares. Although the state spent $8.5 million on the terminal and $4.5 million in federal funds was secured for a larger ferry, the service was not run in summer 2016 due to lack of $700,000 in operations funding.[44] Service resumed for June—September 2017 with funding from MassDOT, with one daily round trip timed for commuting. Fares were doubled to $7, and MBTA passes were not accepted.[45] Due to low ridership in 2017 – just 30 daily passengers – the service was not resumed in 2018.[46]

Operation

All MBTA-funded services are operated by Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) under contract to the MBTA. The Salem route is also operated by Boston Harbor Cruises, but under contract to the town.[4] It is the most reliable mode of MBTA service, with on-time performance typically above 95%.[1] In 2014, the MBTA-funded portion of the system carried 5,070 passengers per weekday – about 0.3% of total MBTA ridership.[1][47]

Until 2017, the MBTA owned two ferries, the Lightning and the Flying Cloud, both built in 1996. They were largely replaced by the new catamarans Champion (named for Champion of the Seas) in October 2017, and Glory (after Glory of the Seas) in May 2018.[48][49] The MBTA-owned ferries are used for the F2H route, while BHC-owned ferries are used for the F1 and F4 routes.[50][1] As of December 2019, the MBTA plans to overhaul the older catamarans in 2020–22; new double-ended ferries for route F4 are also being considered.[51]

Finances and averted cuts

MBTA boat services have the highest farebox recovery ratio of any MBTA service type – 55% in 2012. However, the service still operated at a $5 million annual loss to the MBTA and carried a relatively small percentage of passengers, which resulted in calls for its discontinuance or modification.[52] In 2012, facing a substantial budget gap, the MBTA proposed substantial service cuts and fare increases. All ferry routes were to be cut, resulting in $3.7 million savings for the agency.[53] Temporary measures were found to avoid some service cuts including the ferries; however, weekend Quincy service was eliminated and fares raised 35% in an attempt to eliminate the subsidy required.[54] State lawmakers also then proposed that Massport take over the ferries from the MBTA.[55]

By 2014, farebox recovery increased to 62%.[1] In 2018, the MBTA bid operation of all three routes in a single contract; BHC was the only bidder despite the MBTA's attempts to find a competitor. The cost was originally $17.2 million for the first year with annual increases (with the MBTA keeping all fare revenue); the MBTA negotiated the cost down to $13.6 million.[50]

References
  1. MBTA STATE OF THE SERVICE: Water Transportation (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. July 18, 2016.
  2. "Charlestown Ferry". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  3. "MBTA Tariff and Statement of Fare and Transfer Rules" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. July 1, 2019.
  4. Humphrey, Thomas J. (June 20, 2019). Inventory of Ferry Boat and Other Passenger Water Transportation Services in Massachusetts in 2018 and 2019 (Report). Central Transportation Planning Staff.
  5. Hudson, George S. (May 1917). "Boston Bay News". Marine Review. Vol. 47 no. 5. p. 186 – via Google Books.
  6. Rosenberg, Ronald (May 14, 1990). "Chelsea-Boston ferry to begin tomorrow". Boston Globe. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Cheney, Frank; Sammarco, Anthony M. (1999). Boston in Motion. Arcadia Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 0738500879.
  8. "Lovejoy Ferry Service Ends" (PDF). TRANSreport. Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization: 3. January 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  9. Ridership and Service Statistics (PDF) (13 ed.). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 13, 2011.
  10. Vaccaro, Adam (January 4, 2019). "Boston will get a new ferry soon, but only for some people". Boston Globe.
  11. Chesto, Jon (March 26, 2019). "Seaport ferries get a boost". Boston Globe.
  12. "MBTA Announces Schedule Revisions to Take Effect Tuesday, March 17" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. March 16, 2020.
  13. "Report from the General Manager" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. June 22, 2020.
  14. "Ferry Schedule Changes Take Effect January 23" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. January 11, 2021.
  15. The Cecil Group (May 15, 2008). "Amendment to the East Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan: 6-26 New Street, Boston East and 125 Sumner Street". Boston Redevelopment Authority. p. 11.
  16. Harmon, Lawrence (December 10, 2011). "Full throttle: Plan for a new ferry service in Boston has legs". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  17. Anand, Geeta (November 18, 1996). "Despite push, few take E. Boston ferry: Ridership falls at subsidized service as councilor reaffirms her support". Boston Globe – via Newspapers.com. (second page)
  18. Fox, Jeremy C. (August 7, 2012). "Federal grant for two boats will help bring new ferry service to East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014.
  19. "BRA approves ferry plan to connect East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston". Boston Globe. September 18, 2012. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014.
  20. "Invitation for Bids / Request for Proposal Process Flow". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  21. Bodley, Michael (July 6, 2016). "Would people use a Boston Harbor ferry service". Boston Globe.
  22. "Hingham/Hull Ferry". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  23. Lambert, Lane (March 3, 2017). "From one round trip, Hingham commuter ferry has become 'a linchpin'". Patriot Ledger.
  24. Berwick, Martha A.R. (November 17, 2005). "Hingham ferry has key role as transit hub". Boston Globe.
  25. Seltz, Johanna (June 16, 2011). "Fuel prices sink plans for ferry". Boston Globe.
  26. Rocheleau, Matt; Bencks, Jarret (May 24, 2013). "T names operator for ferry to Boston, Quincy, Hull". Boston Globe.
  27. Seltz, Johanna (March 13, 2014). "T says Quincy ferry service done". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  28. Ronan, Patrick (January 25, 2014). "Quincy's ferry service, USS Salem museum closed indefinitely". Patriot Ledger. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  29. Ronan, Patrick (May 21, 2014). "Quincy councilors push to keep ferry service in city". Patriot Ledger.
  30. Ronan, Patrick (July 28, 2014). "Quincy ferry terminal sale final; USS Salem to leave in 2015". Patriot Ledger. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  31. Ronan, Patrick (February 23, 2016). "USS Salem is staying in Quincy, ship's owner says". Patriot Ledger. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  32. Whitfill, Mary (September 26, 2019). "Quincy, Hull seeking expanded MBTA ferry service". Patriot Ledger.
  33. Seltz, Johanna (May 18, 2014). "T restarts summer weekend ferry runs". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  34. Lambert, Lane (December 27, 2016). "Hingham's new $7 million ferry terminal to open next month". Patriot Ledger. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  35. "Service Alerts and Notices: Ferry". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. January 3, 2018. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.
  36. Takahama, Elise (January 12, 2018). "Hingham Ferry Dock to reopen Monday". Boston Globe.
  37. "Salem Ferry". Boston Harbor Cruises. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  38. "Ferry Schedules". Town of Winthrop. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  39. "Salem Ferry's Maiden Voyage to Take Place on Thursday, June 22nd" (Press release). City of Salem. June 22, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  40. "Transportation Officials, Salem Mayor Driscoll Promote Ferry Service" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. May 31, 2009.
  41. Fiandaca, Cheryl (August 1, 2019). "I-Team: Winthrop Ferry Commuters Left High And Dry". CBS Boston.
  42. "Winthrop Ferry Back In Service After Staffing, Engine Issues". CBS Boston. August 12, 2019.
  43. Rosenberg, Steven A. (June 5, 2014). "Lynn hopes ferry boosts waterfront". Boston Globe. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  44. Grillo, Thomas (June 13, 2016). "State Throws Cold Water on Ferry Commuters". Item Live. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  45. "Lynn-Boston Summer Ferry Service to be Offered" (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. June 9, 2017.
  46. "Baker Says No to Ferry". Lynn Daily Item. May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  47. "Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): 2014 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF). National Transit Database. Federal Transit Administration. 2014.
  48. Jessen, Klark (October 18, 2017). "Champion Officially Joins MBTA Ferry Fleet" (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
  49. Dumcius, Gintautas (May 30, 2018). "See inside the MBTA's newest boat, the Glory". MassLive.
  50. Mohl, Bruce (October 29, 2018). "T ferry operating costs going way up". Commonwealth Magazine.
  51. "Ferry Service Update" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. December 16, 2019.
  52. "Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)" (PDF). National Transit Database. United States Federal Transit Administration. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  53. "MBTA Fare and Service Changes: Join the discussion" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  54. Moskowitz, Erik (March 28, 2012). "Cash-strapped T proposes 23 percent fare increase". Boston Globe.
  55. Moskowitz, Erik (May 11, 2012). "Massport takeover of ferry service urged: Lawmakers also propose plan for cash-strapped T". Boston Globe.
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