BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Ferry service between East Boston at Lewis Mall and the downtown Boston area at Long Wharf will begin Monday, Sept. 12, the MBTA announced Thursday.
The East Boston ferry demonstration project will run seven days a week. Service will operate during the fall season until Nov. 30, 2022, take a pause for the winter, and resume in the spring season on March 1, 2023.
The MBTA last offered ferry service from Lewis Mall in the spring of 2022 as an alternative to shuttle buses when the Blue Line temporarily shut down for tunnel maintenance. Approximately 1,750 people took the 10-minute ferry ride across the harbor each day, prompting the state legislature to fund the ferry service pilot.
"We’re pleased to be able to demonstrate this ferry service between East Boston and downtown Boston this fall and next spring," said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. "We know riders valued the ferry service last spring when Blue Line service was suspended for maintenance. Demonstration projects such as these take coordination and funding, and I’d like to thank our local elected leaders for pursuing and securing the funds necessary to allow the T to operate this seasonal service."
East Boston Ferry Service Daily Schedule and Fares
On weekday mornings, 11 trips will depart Lewis Wharf every 30 minutes beginning at 7 AM and 10 return trips will depart from Long Wharf every 30 minutes starting at 7:15 AM. On weekday afternoons and evenings, ferries will depart Lewis Mall every 30 minutes beginning at 2:30 PM with the last trip at 7:30 PM. Trips from Long Wharf to Lewis Mall will leave every 30 minutes beginning at 2:15 PM with the last trip at 7:45 PM.
On weekend mornings, eight trips will depart Lewis Wharf every 30 minutes beginning at 9 AM, and seven return trips will depart from Long Wharf every 30 minutes beginning at 9:15 AM. On weekend afternoons and evenings, ferries will depart Lewis Wharf every 30 minutes beginning at 3:30 PM with the last trip departing at 8:30 PM. Twelve return trips will depart Long Wharf every 30 minutes beginning at 3:15 PM with the last ferry departing at 8:45 PM.
A one-way fare for the East Boston ferry is $2.40 or $1.10 for reduced fare riders, the same fare as the subway. Fares can be purchased at the Long Wharf ticket booth and on the mTicket app. The MBTA also accepts printed LinkPasses, Commuter Rail Zone passes, and M7 passes.
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