June 1, 2023 |Breaking News, City of Lynn, Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC), From the Mayor, MBTA, News, Transportation

Ferry Returns to Lynn

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The board of directors of the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC/Lynn) voted unanimously Wednesday to sign a lease with the MBTA for the use of the EDIC pier, terminal, and parking lot on Blossom Street Extension for the purpose of operating a commuter ferry into Boston.

EDIC Executive Director James Cowdell said the lease would be for two years with an option for a three-year extension. The MBTA is expected to contract with Boston Harbor Cruises to operate the ferry starting in late June.

The City has been trying to restore ferry service since a 2-year pilot program ended in 2015.

“This is a huge step forward in the vision of positioning Lynn as a multi-modal hub of  transportation. Water transportation is a critical part of that.”

Mayor Jared C. Nicholson

Cowdell said 100 percent of the costs to operate the ferry will be borne by the MBTA. While there were few specifics provided on frequency and cost of the 30-minute trips, Cowdell said there would be “multiple” trips into Boston in the morning and returning in the late afternoon. The cost is expected to be significantly less than the $7 one-way fare that was in place in 2015, with a capacity of up to 150 people per trip.

“This is a home run,” Cowdell said. “This is everything we hoped for coming to fruition, with the state funding the ferry.”

The return of the ferry is especially timely, with the Sumner Tunnel scheduled to be closed from July 5 to August 31, making any journey into Boston from the North significantly more difficult.

“That will present an incredible challenge, which is why we are excited to be able to offer a viable alternative,” Nicholson said.

EDIC board member and Ward 2 City Councilor Rick Starbard said the ferry should be promoted as an option for not only commuters, but also those who want to take a day trip to Boston, or even Cape Cod, which involves a second ferry ride.

Cowdell noted that the MBTA would dedicate funding specifically for the marketing of the Lynn ferry. He said the agreement with the MBTA developed over the last few weeks, and credited Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, the former mayor of Salem, which has a successful commuter ferry, with seeing the value of water transportation.

“The lieutenant governor is a longtime advocate and a friend to the City of Lynn,” Cowdell said. “That helped all the stars align.”

Lynn’s state delegation of Sen. Brendan Crighton and Reps. Dan Cahill, Peter Capano, Jenny Armini and Donald Wong said in a statement: “Today’s EDIC vote is a major step toward restoring ferry service to Lynn. We thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Lynn officials for working with us to enhance public transportation options for the region, especially as we prepare for the summer-long closure of the Sumner Tunnel. We face some of the worst traffic congestion in the country and water transportation must be part of the solution. We look forward to sharing more details of the potential ferry service soon.”

The state’s Seaport Advisory Council funded the ferry in 2014 and 2015, attracting almost 28,000 riders in that span. There was no ferry in 2016, but the Mass. Department of Transportation funded reduced service in 2017 with only one trip per day each way.

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.