MBTA Signs Lease To Operate Winthrop Ferry

By Adam Swift

Winthrop is getting out of the ferry business, but commuters who rely on the ferry for transportation to Boston and beyond shouldn’t worry.

Winthrop and the MBTA have signed a two-year lease agreement, with three one-year extensions, for the MBTA to take over operation of the Winthrop ferry.

In addition to the operational transfer, there will be reduced ferry fares of $2.40 each way in July and August as part of the Sumner Tunnel closure mitigation efforts.

The MBTA officially takes over operation of the ferry on July 1, but town officials said there will still be logistical issues such as scheduling and ticketing that will be ironed out in the coming weeks.

“The runs will be the same, they will go to the same places, and there will be more on that to follow,” said Council President James Letterie. “But the ferry will be run by the MBTA. It will be a while, but the goal is to have Charlie Card access on the ferry, but that will not start on July 1.”

The goal is for the MBTA to eventually take over permanent control of the ferry service, Letterie said.

“We are out of the ferry business as of July 1 is the way I look at it,” said Letterie.

Town Manager Tony Marino said long-term, the MBTA could look to shuffle some stops along the ferry route around, but for now, they will stay as is. In addition, Marino said the MBTA is bringing in some of the current staff to operate the ferry service.

In addition to working out Charlie Card access, Marino said the town and the MBTA also have to work out dock access agreements.

Marino seconded Letterie’s statement that the MBTA is eventually looking to take over permanently as the operator of the ferry service out of Winthrop.

Marino said the ferry boat itself is being leased by the MBTA, and if the operational lease is not extended, the town will maintain ownership of the boat. The MBTA will be responsible for all maintenance and repairs of the boat during the life of the lease.

“This is a big win,” said Council Vice President Stephen Ruggeiro.