Boston Water Transit:
The Past, Present, and Future
Massachusetts has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. Currently, the transportation sector makes up 37% of the State’s carbon emissions, making it the single largest Greenhouse Gas (GhG) emitting sector. Meanwhile, post-pandemic trends indicate a return to the office (RTO) across employers in Downtown Boston, with at least 5% of the increase in commutes projected to be made with single occupancy vehicle trips (SOVs). And in 2024, Boston had the 5th worst traffic congestion in North America according to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.
Given the status of the commuter transportation landscape in Boston and our Statewide sustainability goals, we need to find innovative ways to get around town while saving precious commute time and not contributing to GhG emissions. What better way than to take the boat? Greater Boston has a rich history of ferry routes and water shuttles linking communities across the Boston Harbor, the Charles River, and the Mystic River. With the rise in dependence on the automobile, many of these historic services became unpopular and private ferry companies went under water. Now with dedicated water transportation leadership at the MBTA and a moment ripe for mobility options alternative to driving alone, water transit is making a much-needed comeback. We’re dedicating this page to learning about Greater Boston’s water transit history to get a glimpse of what was once possible, and then to highlight bold new plans to expand ferry service today and in the future.
Historic Water Transit Routes Spotlight Series
In collaboration with the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, we’ll be highlighting a historic ferry route each week to learn about Greater Boston’s rich water transit history and also discuss how the MBTA is leading an initiative to both restore and expand ferry service to communities in 2025. Follow us on Instagram @watertransitmonth to stay tuned!
From The Vault with the Leventhal Map Center
This July, The Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library will host a Water Transit-themed exhibit in the From the Vault series on July 25 from 2 - 4pm. Join us at the Leventhal Center at the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library to view the exhibit of historic ferry routes in and around Greater Boston. More information coming soon!
Last Year’s Event Recap: The Past, Present, and Future of Water Transportation in Boston
Ferries have long been part of Boston's history, from having the first ferry in the United States in 1631 to the resurgence of water transit in 2024. Tune into this webinar to learn about the past, present, and future of ferry operations from our esteemed panel, which includes water transit experts, changemakers, and ferry operators as we explore how ferries and water transit can shape our region’s transportation and connect our coastal communities.
2024 Instagram Spotlights:
The History of Water Transit in Boston
The First Ferry
The country’s first ferry was established right here in Greater Boston. The Winnisimmet Ferry began service in 1631 and went from Chelsea to the North End. The service operated until 1917.
The ferry temporarily started up again in 1990 during the Big Dig project and traveled from Chelsea to Rowes Wharf.
Today, the free Encore water shuttle is the only public ferry operating on the Mystic River.
Connections
Dating back to the 1800s, the Nantasket Steamboat and Boston & Hingham Steamboat Companies provided regular ferry service between Hull, Hingham, and Rowe’s Wharf.
During the mid-1900s, the dissolution of railroads connecting to the ferries and the rise of the automobile resulted in a reduction in ridership and weekday service, and the elimination of weekend service on the Hingham and Hull ferries.
In 1984, service returned on the Hingham and Hull Ferry to provide more transit options during the reconstruction of the Southeast Expressway on I-93. Through the 1990s and 2000s, the MBTA continued to provide weekday service on the Hingham and Hull Ferry routes.
Today, Boston Harbor Cruises operates all MBTA Hingham/Hull vessels and maintains consistent 7-day service on ferry routes connecting Boston, Hingham, and Hull.
Return
The East Boston Ferry began service in 1835, carrying passengers across the Harbor to the North End for just one cent.
When the Sumner Tunnel was constructed in 1930 and the automobile’s popularity increased, demand for the ferry began to dwindle. It ultimately ceased operations in 1952.
Ferry service to East Boston returned nearly 70 years later in 2021 when the Seaport Ferry began its route between East Boston and the Seaport. In 2023, the MBTA relaunched the original route, with demand still on the rise due to—almost ironically—travelers looking for an alternative to traffic in the tunnels.