Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The MBTA celebrated along the waterfront in East Boston Wednesday how it received about $1 million to implement a service expansion of three ferry routes.
MBTA general manager Phil Eng said he credits financial investments for the over 126% increase in ferry ridership compared to last year.
“We want to get people out of their cars– we want to give people the option to choose transit,” he said.
Eng said the grant also allows the MBTA to shorten trips on routes and procure more boats. This new move will allow evening ferry use to run later in the night, he said.
The funding comes from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Boston Harbor Water Transportation Fund Grant – an effort the Healey-Driscoll administration is making to expand commuter ferry options and increase access to cultural and educational opportunities on Boston Harbor.
David Perry, the MBTA’s director of ferry operations, said changes like these are what helped triple ridership on the Winthrop/Quincy ferry route after adding an extra boat a few months ago.
"It's really transformative to be able to increase service and offer a better alternative for people to get into the city,” he said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.