By Sam Lambert
I recently moved and left my familiar, fairly short, Orange Line commute into our office behind. Sure, I made jokes about being able to run faster than the train or my chronic anxiety as it traveled over the Mystic River, but it was a routine I knew well and didn’t have to think too much about. As I was exploring commuting options from my new home in Lynn to our office in the Financial District, I can admit to being a little overwhelmed at all of the options. The good news is that I had options, one of which is the seasonal ferry that runs from the Blossom Street Pier in Lynn to Boston’s Long Wharf (North) from May through the end of October, a short 10 minute walk from our office.
On the heels of the MassDepartment of Transportation (MassDOT) announcing they have launched a study to evaluate potential ferry service expansion, I thought it might be fun to share what it’s like taking a boat to work!
First, let’s talk about cost. The ferry price was reduced to just $2.40 for a one-way trip due to the closure of the Sumner tunnel. As of August 5th, regular pricing of $7 one-way is back in effect, though reduced fare riders are eligible for $3.50 one-way fares. Purchasing tickets can be easily done through the mTicket app or on the ferry itself. The full fare comes out to just under my former commuting price when parking ($10 at the Wellington T station) is factored in addition to the cost of the fare ($4.80 round-trip). Parking at the Blossom Street Pier is free and EV Charging stations are available. Bicycles are allowed on the ferry.
The Lynn Ferry has multiple weekday trips, leaving Lynn at 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, and 9:20 AM. Each trip arrives at the Long Wharf 40 minutes later. I opted for the 7:30 AM boat in order to give myself enough time to settle into the office for a 9 AM meeting. When I parked at 7:15 AM, there was already a line of passengers waiting outside. The weather was pleasant and everyone was in good spirits, friendly and once the Ava Pearl opened its doors, the line moved quickly. There were plenty of seating options, both inside and outside, with comfortable tables for those that wanted to take advantage of the wi-fi and get a head start on work. A small galley with coffee and breakfast items for sale is also available on the lower deck. I chose to go to the upper deck and sit outside despite the early morning fog and accompanying chill.
The enjoyable ride featured a number of seabirds, familiar coastal sights from a different perspective, friendly passengers, and a chance to just sit back and relax before the work day began. Once we docked, I couldn’t help but think about the history of Long Wharf. While a novelty to many, for generations, ferries were a common commuter vehicle, landing in the very same place as I stood.
I arrived at our office at 8:30 am, a little later than expected due to a short detour to say good morning to the New England Aquarium seals. The return trip took a little planning as the late afternoon ferry from Long Wharf back to Lynn runs at 4:00 PM, 5:45 PM, and 7:15 PM. I was able to get the 4:00 PM return and had a similarly pleasant, though significantly warmer, experience on the way back. One of the challenges I hadn’t anticipated was that, in my line of work, the unexpected often happens. The Blossom St. Pier is a 25 minute walk from the Lynn Interim Commuter Rail, so I don’t have a lot of flexibility to take the ferry in and the commuter rail home. There are days that I opt for the Commuter Rail over the Ferry because of this.
As communities look for alternative commuter options and increased access to public transit, I hope that ferries will continue to be a part of the solutions considered in Massachusetts. I am hopeful that this study will include ridership data to determine if the reduced fares resulted in higher usage, consider grant opportunities with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for electrification, and take a broader look at MBTA connection points to further reduce reliance on vehicles. Even with some of the challenges mentioned, I would highly recommend utilizing ferry service if available in your area, it’s a unique benefit for coastal communities that should be invested in further. We will be sure to share upcoming opportunities for public comment and stakeholder engagement through the study with our members and supporters!
