City to Add More Ferry Service to Charlestown

Commuting by boat from Charlestown to certain other parts of the city should become easier following an announcement this week from Mayor Menino.

The mayor announced that the City of Boston has been awarded $1.28 million in federal grant money to purchase two ferries for service between East Boston, South Boston, and Charlestown. 

“The car is no longer king in Boston and today I’m proud to announce a new way to move people around the City,” said Mayor Menino in a Tuesday press release. “The inner Harbor ferry service will decrease congestion and improve air quality while investing in new affordable transportation infrastructure and adding value to Boston’s waterfront communities.”

According to the release, The Boston Redevelopment Authority will manage the grant funds. The terms of the The Federal Highway Administration grant requires that the City match the $1.28 million by 20 percent, or $320,000.

This new ferry service is projected to begin in 2013. Fare and route details currently under review, according to the release, and an operator to manage the day to day operations of the ferry will be chosen this fall.

The ferry expansion represents something of a reversal. Charlestown ferry service had been during earlier this year, prompting local residents to .

The final MBTA plan preserved the ferry, but raised fares for Inner-Harbor water transportation to $3 per ride.