MBTA boat

MBTA ferry network

Company type	Public marine transit system
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1963 (year-round commuter ferry service to Hull resumed)
Headquarters	Boston , United States
Area served	Boston Harbor
Key people	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Hornblower Cruises (City Cruises)
Products	Ferry services
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Hornblower Cruises (City Cruises)
Website	www.mbta.com/schedules/ferry

The MBTA ferry network is a public marine transit system operating within Boston Harbor, managed by Hornblower Cruises (City Cruises) through a contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). In , it served riders, with an average weekday ridership of as of . The system comprises six routes, all terminating in downtown Boston. Three routes operate year-round: to Hingham (F1), via Hull (F2H), and to the Charlestown Navy Yard (F4). Additionally, seasonal services connect to Lynn (F3), Winthrop (F5), and East Boston (F6).

During the 19th century, Boston featured numerous steamship lines linking the inner harbor with the North Shore, South Shore, and destinations beyond, including New England and Europe. The rise of railroads, streetcars, and automobiles led to a decline in ferry travel; by the 1930s, only summer routes and the East Boston ferry remained operational. In 1963, year-round service to Hull resumed as the country’s only commuter ferry. Service to Hingham began in 1975, followed by Charlestown’s tourist-oriented route in 1979 and Quincy in 1996, alongside other temporary routes. Initially funded either privately or by the state, these lines gradually received MBTA subsidies between 1986 and 2002. The Quincy and Hull routes merged in 1998; Quincy terminal was replaced by Hingham in 2013. Winthrop service commenced in 2016 and was integrated into MBTA operations in 2023. East Boston service launched in 2022, while Lynn service restarted in 2023 after earlier unsuccessful efforts.

The MBTA owns part of the ferry fleet, with Hornblower owning the remainder. Among MBTA transit modes, the ferry system achieves the highest levels of on-time performance and farebox recovery ratio, though it represents a small fraction of overall ridership—carrying approximately 5,070 weekday passengers on three MBTA-funded routes in 2016, about 0.4% of total MBTA users.

Routes

The MBTA runs six ferry lines: three operate throughout the year, while three are seasonal. One route provides weekend service year-round; three others offer weekend trips only during their seasonal operation.

Route	Boston terminal	Outer terminal	Service span	Weekday round trips	Weekend round trips	Fare	Fare zone
F1	Rowes Wharf	Hingham	Year-round	18	–	$9.75	6
F2H	Long Wharf	Hingham via Logan Airport and Hull	Year-round (weekend service seasonal)	19	14–16	$9.75	6
F3	Long Wharf	East Boston	Seasonal	22	18	$2.40	1A
F4	Long Wharf	Charlestown Navy Yard	Year-round	39	17	$3.70	1A
F5	Long Wharf	Lynn Ferry Terminal	Seasonal	5	5+1⁄2	$7.00	2
F6	Central Wharf	Winthrop via Fan Pier, Logan Airport, and Marina Bay, Quincy	Seasonal	6+1⁄2	–	$6.50	1

Charlestown

Ferry operations linking Boston and Charlestown ended in 1786 following the inauguration of the Charles River Bridge. The Winnisimmet Ferry, which ran between the North End and Chelsea, continued until January 1917. During the early stages of the Big Dig in 1990, a private service under the same name operated between Rowes Wharf and Chelsea. In June 1979, Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) initiated a tourist ferry route connecting Long Wharf and the Navy Yard, supported by funding from the National Park Service. This service transitioned in June 1987 to a general transit route financed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Starting in October 1988, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works undertook modifications to the Tobin Bridge interchange, which led to an increase in Charlestown ferry operations with financial backing from both DPW and the MBTA through 1989. From 2004 onwards, the MBTA assumed direct funding responsibilities for this ferry service.

In late 2019, Hornblower Cruises purchased BHC and rebranded it as City Cruises in 2021; this change did not affect MBTA ferry operations. The F4 route was suspended on March 17, 2020, due to a decline in ridership caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Partial weekday service resumed on June 22, but weekend runs remained halted. The F4 route was again paused from January to May 2021 before full service recommenced on May 22.

East Boston

Ferry connections to East Boston commenced in 1832. The North Ferry, running between Battery Street and Border Street, ceased operations in 1938 following the opening of the Sumner Tunnel. The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) ferry service from Rowes Wharf to Jeffries Point ended in 1940, while the South Ferry between Sargent's Wharf and Lewis Wharf operated until 1952. A city-managed service between Lewis Street and Long Wharf was active from 1995 to 1997 but was discontinued due to very low passenger numbers; this was largely because the Blue Line provided faster and more frequent transit along a similar route.

In 2011, then-Mayor Thomas Menino proposed establishing ferry service between East Boston and Fan Pier on the South Boston Waterfront, a corridor lacking direct transit options. In August 2012, the Federal Highway Administration awarded $1.28 million for acquiring two vessels. The Boston Redevelopment Authority accepted this grant and committed to renovating the East Boston Marine Terminal with an anticipated launch in 2013; however, funding shortfalls delayed progress. The MBTA issued bids for boat procurement in 2014, but these plans did not advance further.

A privately financed ferry route connecting Lewis Wharf and Fan Pier began operation in September 2021. During Blue Line tunnel maintenance in April–May 2022, a temporary service between Long Wharf and Lewis Wharf was provided. Starting September 12, 2022, a pilot seasonal ferry service between Long Wharf and Lewis Wharf commenced, offering 22 round trips on weekdays and 19 on weekends; this service has continued through both 2023 and 2024.

Lovejoy Wharf routes

Two ferry routes funded by the MBTA—the F3 connecting Lovejoy Wharf to Boston Navy Yard and the F5 linking Lovejoy Wharf to the World Trade Center via Moakley Courthouse—were launched in 1997 during the Big Dig project. Due to insufficient ridership, both routes were terminated on January 21, 2005. A non-MBTA-funded express service, the F5X running between Lovejoy Wharf and the World Trade Center, continued operations until February 24, 2006. In January 2019, a privately financed pilot shuttle service between Lovejoy Wharf and Fan Pier commenced, primarily serving employees and overseen by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Public fares saw a significant reduction in April 2019. As of January 2025, plans are underway to extend service to Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, targeted for implementation in June 2025.

South Shore

Ferry operations linking Boston and Hingham date back to 1832; however, following the introduction of the South Shore Railroad in 1849, ferry usage shifted predominantly toward leisure travel. Service expanded to Hull in 1848 and Nantasket Beach by 1869. The Hingham shipyard route ceased in 1898, while Nantasket service ended by 1963 after years of declining profitability and a devastating fire in 1929. Massachusetts Bay Lines reinstated year-round ferry service between Pemberton Point and Boston in March 1963—the sole commuter ferry at that time—and added seasonal trips to Nantasket in 1964. Bay State Cruises assumed operations in 1980 but discontinued Nantasket service again in 1992. In 1996, Bay State Cruises sold the Hull route to Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC), which subsequently obtained MBTA subsidies.

Service between Rowes Wharf and Hingham was revived with a single round trip on October 6, 1975, spearheaded by Ed King of the Massachusetts Port Authority. Throughout the 1980s, various operators managed subsidized runs until the MBTA began providing financial support in 1986. During the 1990s, ferry expansion was proposed as an alternative to restoring commuter rail on the Greenbush Line. BHC assumed control of Hingham–Boston ferry operations in 1997.

In 1996, Water Transportation Associates (WTA), operating as Harbor Express, initiated Quincy–Long Wharf service via Logan Airport with funding from General Dynamics. After this funding ceased in 2001, partial state support sustained limited operations into early 2002. The MBTA acquired WTA’s assets in April 2002 and contracted WTA to continue services, designating Hingham–Boston as route F1 and Quincy–Boston as F2 (with stops at Hull labeled F2H). Efforts to revive summer weekend trips to Nantasket failed due to high fuel expenses. On July 1, 2013, BHC took over Hingham services from WTA.

Quincy service was halted on October 14, 2013 after sea wall damage worsened by a water main break rendered operations unsafe. In January 2014, the MBTA permanently discontinued this route after determining repair costs were prohibitive—estimated at $15 million for five years or $50 million for fifty years of use. This closure also forced the USS Salem museum to shut down. Quincy officials proposed Squantum Point as an alternative terminal site; meanwhile, a nearby shipyard purchased the Quincy terminal property from the MBTA in July 2014.

After a lengthy pause since the late 1990s, weekend summer service resumed on the F2H route on May 24, 2014. The Hingham Intermodal Center opened in January 2017, offering upgraded passenger amenities. Ferry operations were briefly suspended on January 2, 2018 due to ice-related damage but resumed on January 15 following repairs. Service to Squantum was added as part of the Winthrop route in August 2016.

In late 2019, Hornblower Cruises acquired BHC and rebranded it as City Cruises in 2021; MBTA ferry services remained unchanged under this new branding. Both F1 and F2H routes were suspended on March 17, 2020 amid reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic; weekday service partially resumed on June 22 while weekend operations stayed suspended. The F1 route experienced another temporary suspension starting January 23, 2021 with limited F2H service continuing; full restoration of F1—including Logan Airport stops and weekend trips—occurred on May 22.

North Shore

Between 1818 and 1931, steamboat operations linking Salem and Boston occurred intermittently, mainly catering to leisure travelers due to rivalry from the Eastern Railroad. Service to Winthrop was irregular from 1840 until 1898 but eventually lost commuter patronage to the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad. Lynn ferry operations took place during the 1870s and again from 1892 to 1908. Summer ferry trips between Boston and Salem were revived in 1998 with state financial support and continued without subsidies by BHC through the year 2000.

Salem ferry service was reestablished on June 22, 2006, backed by a $2.3 million grant from the state. The WTA managed this route until 2011, after which BHC assumed control without financial aid starting in 2012. Beginning in 2009, MBTA Commuter Rail passes were honored on select peak sailings. MBTA subsidies ceased around 2020, with pass acceptance ending in 2023.

Winthrop ferry operations commenced in August 2010 under a three-year state-funded grant managed by BHC and continued until 2012; a brief period of unsubsidized service followed in 2013. Service resumed on April 16, 2016, utilizing a vessel owned by the town; later that year, Marina Bay was incorporated as an additional stop. The Boston terminal shifted locations multiple times—from Fan Pier (April–June 2017) to Rowes Wharf with an intermediate stop, then ultimately to Central Wharf in 2018. Due to elevated expenses and operational challenges, services were suspended in 2019. In July 2023, the MBTA took over operations under a two-year lease agreement with options for extension. Starting April 28, 2025, the route will be divided into separate weekday services for Quincy and Winthrop with increased frequency.

The Lynn Ferry debuted on May 19, 2014, as a two-year pilot project funded by the state, offering three round trips on weekdays between Lynn Ferry Terminal and Central Wharf. Despite an $8.5 million state investment in terminal infrastructure and $4.5 million federal funding secured for a larger ferry vessel, the absence of $700,000 required for operations led to suspension during summer 2016. Service resumed between June and September 2017 with MassDOT funding but featured doubled fares of $7 and discontinued acceptance of MBTA passes. Low ridership levels—averaging about 30 passengers daily—resulted in termination of service in 2018.

In May 2023, the MBTA announced intentions to restart Lynn service midyear. Operations recommenced on June 26, 2023 as an MBTA-run route with ten weekday round trips and temporarily reduced fares matching subway rates during the Sumner Tunnel closure. Weekend service was introduced on April 29, 2024. However, in April 2025, service frequency was curtailed to two inbound and one outbound trip daily while travel duration extended from approximately 40 minutes to 90 minutes due to a speed restriction implemented in Broad Sound aimed at protecting endangered right whale populations.

Operations

All ferry routes funded by the MBTA are operated under contract by Boston Harbor Cruises—a subsidiary of Hornblower Cruises branded as City Cruises. This mode consistently ranks as the most punctual within the MBTA system, regularly achieving on-time rates exceeding 95%. In 2016 alone, MBTA-supported ferries transported an average of 5,070 passengers each weekday, accounting for roughly 0.4% of total MBTA ridership.

Ferries

Prior to 2017, the MBTA owned two vessels: Lightning and Flying Cloud, both constructed in 1996. These older ferries have mostly been replaced by newer catamarans: Champion, introduced in October 2017, and Glory, which entered service in May 2018. Ferries owned by the MBTA operate exclusively on route F2H, whereas Hornblower-owned vessels serve routes F1 and F4. Additionally, some F1 trips are subcontracted to Massachusetts Bay Lines utilizing their own fleet.

As of December 2019, plans were underway for refurbishing older catamarans between 2020 and 2022 alongside consideration of acquiring new double-ended ferries specifically for route F4. The MBTA also procured used catamarans Schoodic Explorer (previously employed for whale watching in Maine) and Ava Pearl (formerly operating between Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard). The ferry servicing Winthrop is leased from the municipality. In 2025, two additional pre-owned catamarans—Abigail Adams and Harbor Gem, both formerly New York Water Taxi vessels—were added to support Winthrop and Quincy routes; their names were chosen through an elementary school naming contest.

Finances

Among MBTA service categories, ferry operations boast the highest farebox recovery ratio, reaching 55% in 2012. Despite this, they incurred an annual deficit of $5 million and accounted for a relatively small portion of overall ridership. Confronted with a budget shortfall that year, the MBTA proposed eliminating all ferry routes to achieve $3.7 million in yearly savings. While temporary solutions allowed some routes to continue, weekend service to Quincy was discontinued and fares increased by 35% to lessen the required subsidies. Subsequently, state legislators recommended that Massport assume responsibility for ferry operations.

By 2014, the farebox recovery rate had improved to 62%. In 2018, the MBTA invited bids for operation of all three ferry routes; BHC emerged as the only bidder. The original contract price of $17.2 million for the first year was renegotiated down to $13.6 million, with the MBTA retaining all fare revenues. In April 2025, BHC was awarded a contract valued at $116 million over five years and eight months to manage routes F1, F2H, F3, F4, and F5, including two optional extensions of three years each.

External links

• MBTA – Ferry
• City Cruises – Boston Ferry Services