April 11, 2025 |MBTA, News, Transportation

MBTA Opens Contest for Students K-8 to Help Name Three Ferries

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Students in Boston, Quincy, Winthrop, and Lynn, encouraged to submit ferry name ideas by May 9, 2025 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is hosting a ferry naming contest to help the agency name three ferries which will serve the Quincy, Winthrop and Lynn ferry routes starting this summer. 


“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proud to advance public transportation access across Massachusetts by expanding our fleet to meet growing travel demand,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Ferries are a vital part of our multimodal network, and this naming contest is a fun way to spark creativity, engage the public, and celebrate the unique joy of traveling by water.” 


“We love giving the community opportunities to engage with the T. We hope that riders, young and old, take pride and joy in seeing a name representative of their own community’s history when they ride the ferry,” said General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “We look forward to the christening ceremony where we can acknowledge the creativity of the local youth.” 


This contest is open to students in grades K–8 from Boston, Quincy, Winthrop, and Lynn, including public and private schools, as well as homeschooled students. 


One entry per classroom or student (if they are home schooled) may be submitted.  


Ferry service is the first form of public transportation in Boston and is one of the oldest forms of public transportation in the United States. For hundreds of years, ferries have connected coastal communities in and around Boston, including during the American Revolution. This year commemorates the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolution. 


The proposed name should reflect the history, character, or connection of the student’s city to the American Revolution. All submissions must include a brief explanation of the inspiration behind the name.  


Entries may be submitted online here by 11:45 pm Friday, May 9, 2025. Please direct questions to publicengagement@mbta.com. 


An internal MBTA panel will review the submissions and select one name for each ferry based on the route it will primarily serve.  


Winners will be notified on or before May 30, 2025. Winners from Boston, Lynn, Quincy, or Winthrop will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a ferry ride pizza party for their respective classroom. Winners will also be invited to attend the christening ceremony for their city’s ferry, which is anticipated to be held this summer. 


In 2024, nearly 78,000 riders commuted on over 3,800 Winthrop/Quincy and Lynn ferry trips. Learn more about MBTA ferry service at www.mbta.com/schedules/ferry. 


For more information, visit mbta.com or connect with the T on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta.    

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About the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) opened America’s first subway tunnel in 1897, pioneering public transportation in the United States. Today, the MBTA is one of the largest public transit systems in the country, operating an extensive network of subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit services across 176 cities and towns. The MBTA is undergoing a transformative period, focusing on cultivating a culture of safety and excellence, modernizing infrastructure, and improving reliability and accessibility. Current priorities include accelerating critical infrastructure repairs, expanding accessibility, and reducing emissions. The MBTA is committed to providing dependable, frequent, and accessible service that riders can rely on while supporting the region’s economic vitality. Through initiatives like the unprecedented Track Improvement Program, Bus Network Redesign, and Rail Vision, the MBTA aims to connect communities and improve riders’ daily experiences and trips. For questions or assistance, riders are encouraged to contact the MBTA Customer Center at 617-222-3200. Members of the press are encouraged to contact mediarelations@mbta.com. For the latest updates on MBTA services, projects, and initiatives, visit MBTA.com or follow @MBTA on social media.

The above press release was submitted to us by the MBTA.