-By Joseph Domelowicz
For the Transcript
Alison Nolan, general manager of Boston Harbor Cruises, operator of the ferry service in Winthrop, and Charles Famolare, town harbormaster, are pictured on the town pier for the ceremonial launching of the ferry service that began Monday.
Commuter  ferry service between Winthrop and Boston made a triumphant return this past Monday. Boston Harbor Cruises once again began taking commuter passengers to Boston on three morning trips to the city and three return trips in the afternoon and early evening on Monday, May 16 at 7 a.m.
“We actually saw a lot of the same faces from the trial that we ran last year and we were certainly excited to see them coming back,†said Harbormaster Charles “Chucky†Famolare.“Starting at 7 a.m. we saw the riders that used to take the early boat last year and it was the same thing at 8 a.m., with returning riders lining up to board the boat.â€
The ferry service between Winthrop and Boston has become so popular that regular riders even have their own face book page, which already had generated several posts and excited pictures by users as of Tuesday afternoon.
The schedule has been altered a bit since last year, when the first trip was at 6 a.m., but a closer to midday trip has replaced that early morning trip and weekend and evening trips are planned for later in the summer, according to Famolare.
“We’re very excited, this was part of the reason for building the pier on town in the first place and to see it get this kind of use is very good news,†added the Harbormaster.
Fares for the ferry are $6 per trip, but a book of ten rides can be purchased for just $54.According to Famolare, the ferry service is expected to continue until Columbus Day weekend this year.
For more information about the Boston Harbor Cruises ferry service, visit the Boston Harbor Cruises website at www.bostonharborcruises.com or the town website at www.town.winthrop.ma.us.