Post by ferryfast admin on Feb 18, 2006 0:46:45 GMT -5
Oops! We missed this one!!! Better late than never! j^c^b
February 6, 2006
Falmouth interested in new fast ferry
By AMANDA LEHMERT
STAFF WRITER
CAPE COD ONLINE
www.capecodonline.com/
FALMOUTH - Woods Hole could have a new ferry line as soon as this fall.
The Falmouth selectmen have thrown their support behind a New Bedford to Woods Hole ferry service proposed by the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission.
Pending the outcome of a feasibility study, a passenger-only ferry could be running between the communities by the end of the year, said John Simpson, executive director of the harbor commission.
The commission is seeking a state transportation grant to help pay for a $100,000 study of the proposed ferry line.
New England Fast Ferry already runs ferry service between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard. Last year, the company saw 125,000 passenger trips on its Vineyard service and Simpson expects that ferry to continue to grow in popularity.
The feasibility study will examine whether the company can fit runs to Falmouth into its current schedule without adding a new boat or new employees, Simpson said. The proposed service would not take cars.
Simpson said the feasibility study will also look at whether there are enough riders to add trips between the Cape and New Bedford.
The ferry could attract commuters and traffic between marine research facilities in the two communities, Simpson said.
Falmouth selectmen suggested there could also be a market for day-tripping tourists who want to travel to New Bedford to visit its museums.
The harbor commission operates a parking lot for ferry passengers as well as a shuttle service around historic New Bedford, which could help serve a bolstered tourist trade.
Selectmen Kevin Murphy, a Woods Hole businessman, and Catherine Bumpus, who lives in Woods Hole, were encouraged by the idea. ''Anything that brings people to Woods Hole and Falmouth without their cars is a good thing,'' Bumpus said.
Currently, New England Fast Ferry charges $25 for a one- way trip to Martha's Vineyard, with discounts for seniors,
children and regular commuters. Simpson said the trip to Woods Hole could be less expensive, but the price will depend on several variables, such as the cost of docking in Falmouth.
Falmouth selectmen sent a letter to the state supporting the project. Simpson expects to hear whether the grant for the feasibility study will be approved in the next few weeks.
If the harbor commission gets the grant, the study would be completed by the end of the fiscal year in June.
Amanda Lehmert
can be reached at alehmert@capecodonline.com.
(Published: February 6, 2006)
February 6, 2006
Falmouth interested in new fast ferry
By AMANDA LEHMERT
STAFF WRITER
CAPE COD ONLINE
www.capecodonline.com/
FALMOUTH - Woods Hole could have a new ferry line as soon as this fall.
The Falmouth selectmen have thrown their support behind a New Bedford to Woods Hole ferry service proposed by the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission.
Pending the outcome of a feasibility study, a passenger-only ferry could be running between the communities by the end of the year, said John Simpson, executive director of the harbor commission.
The commission is seeking a state transportation grant to help pay for a $100,000 study of the proposed ferry line.
New England Fast Ferry already runs ferry service between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard. Last year, the company saw 125,000 passenger trips on its Vineyard service and Simpson expects that ferry to continue to grow in popularity.
The feasibility study will examine whether the company can fit runs to Falmouth into its current schedule without adding a new boat or new employees, Simpson said. The proposed service would not take cars.
Simpson said the feasibility study will also look at whether there are enough riders to add trips between the Cape and New Bedford.
The ferry could attract commuters and traffic between marine research facilities in the two communities, Simpson said.
Falmouth selectmen suggested there could also be a market for day-tripping tourists who want to travel to New Bedford to visit its museums.
The harbor commission operates a parking lot for ferry passengers as well as a shuttle service around historic New Bedford, which could help serve a bolstered tourist trade.
Selectmen Kevin Murphy, a Woods Hole businessman, and Catherine Bumpus, who lives in Woods Hole, were encouraged by the idea. ''Anything that brings people to Woods Hole and Falmouth without their cars is a good thing,'' Bumpus said.
Currently, New England Fast Ferry charges $25 for a one- way trip to Martha's Vineyard, with discounts for seniors,
children and regular commuters. Simpson said the trip to Woods Hole could be less expensive, but the price will depend on several variables, such as the cost of docking in Falmouth.
Falmouth selectmen sent a letter to the state supporting the project. Simpson expects to hear whether the grant for the feasibility study will be approved in the next few weeks.
If the harbor commission gets the grant, the study would be completed by the end of the fiscal year in June.
Amanda Lehmert
can be reached at alehmert@capecodonline.com.
(Published: February 6, 2006)