Ferry Service will Return with Expanded Schedule

-By Cary Shuman

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There is great news for Winthrop residents who used the ferry service at Winthrop Landing last August and September.

Not only will the ferry be in operation soon, there will be an expansion of the schedule of trips going to Boston and returning to Winthrop. The new schedule will include weekend trips in July and August.

Alison Nolan, general manager and co-owner of Boston Harbor Cruises, told the gathering at the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce breakfast Tuesday that this year’s proposed schedule calls for ferry service from May 16 to October 10.

“No matter what, you’re going to have three trips into Boston and three trips out of Boston every day Monday through Friday,” Nolan said. “We’ve added weekend service, three trips in, three trips out, in July and August. In addition to weekend service, we’ve added a 10 p.m. departure from Boston for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in July and August.”

Nolan said ferry service operations went very well in Winthrop last year, carrying 5,000 passengers. The company hopes to triple or even quadruple that ridership total this year.

“What we’ve learned over time is that there are certain things that make a ferry service really viable and successful and all of those things exist here in Winthrop,” said Nolan. “It’s a really good commute time, it’s competitive with the automobile and other forms of public transportation. The town has done a wonderful job with the Landing and the pier and most importantly has provided for ample free parking at the facility.”

Nolan said her company hopes to work with Chamber members on discount programs for ferry ticket holders.