Planning the future of water transportation in the Commonwealth.
Description:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is leading a study to plan and design the next iteration of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) water transportation network. The study will identify:
Potential improvements to existing ferry routes and infrastructure
New routes and terminal locations to explore
Multimodal access improvements to current and potential ferry terminal locations
Upgrades to improve the ferry experience for all riders
This study is a collaborative effort with the MBTA, the public, elected officials, local and regional staff, and other stakeholders. As a result of this study, recommendations may include locations for new ferry routes, terminals, and facilities.
Next steps
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first round of events, spoke with the project team, and took our survey in person or online. Between September and November 2025, the project team hosted a virtual community meeting and eleven open houses at ferry terminals and MBTA stations across Massachusetts.
We are currently reviewing the approximately 3,000 comments we’ve received from you. Your feedback will shape our evaluation of the current ferry system and inform our draft recommendations.
In Spring 2026, the project team will host additional meetings and events to share draft alternatives for feedback.
