The Need for Water Transit

By Vivien Li

South Boston’s Seaport District is booming.

This year’s Earth Day focused national attention on sustainable development. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and their staffs, Massachusetts – and, in particular, Boston – are leading the way in promoting efficient buildings through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards, supporting renewable energy and fostering recycling.

Both state and city administrations also are looking to further support transit-oriented development, with reduced reliance on single-passenger vehicles and greater emphasis on mass transportation, car pooling and flexible vehicle initiatives such as “Zipcar” programs.

A cleaner Boston Harbor, rising gasoline prices, new development on formerly vacant waterfront parcels and renewed environmental interest have fostered a call for greater water transportation, with some even being so bold as to suggest that Boston eventually should have water transit rivaling that of waterfront cities such as Venice, Sydney and Vancouver.

Consistent with these interests, The Boston Harbor Association has launched a multiyear Water Transportation Initiative designed to promote a robust water transportation network for Boston Harbor. Co-chairing the effort will be Charles Norris, a leading authority on water transportation in Boston Harbor, and former Massport Executive Director Al Raine, a national expert on transportation and urban development.

During the next year, The Boston Harbor Association will address priority water transportation topics, and share its findings with public and private sector interests, as part of its continued advocacy and collaboration with others in promoting a comprehensive water transportation network.

Expanding and sustaining water transportation will require tackling such issues as management and funding structures. Current water transportation services in Boston Harbor operate under a range of different structures, sometimes even with both public and private funding within the same company. Finding ways to make water transportation convenient with more frequent departures, and affordable for commuters, tourists, and visitors to the Boston Harbor Islands, also will continue to be key.

Likewise, information and marketing of water transportation services are essential. Currently because information varies greatly between water transportation providers, it is difficult for workers and visitors from Boston’s North or South shores to fully understand their options. New approaches to marketing and ticketing of water transportation services that take advantage of new information technologies must be developed to foster seamless transit connections.

As development of the waterfront progresses in Boston’s Seaport District, East Boston, and Dorchester’s Columbia Point area over the next decade, officials will need to consider how best to service these and other waterfront areas by water transportation, and how best to work with waterfront property owners in integrating water transportation into their projects.

Infrastructure to support water transportation, including docks, landside access, transit connections, and drop-off areas next to water transportation also need to be carefully planned and maintained. Moreover, accessible docks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act – such as those found at Boston’s Long, Central and Rowes wharves, and at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse on the Fan Pier – need to be the standard throughout Boston Harbor. Such facilities provide universal access while also accelerating passenger loading/unloading and allowing for quicker turnaround of service.

Finally, finding ways to develop and sustain a state-of-the-art water transportation fleet, which uses lower emission fuels and/or alternative energy sources and commercial pump-out facilities for waste, will ensure a clean Boston Harbor.

With continued growth and development of Boston’s waterfront, realizing a vibrant water transportation network will become increasingly important, linking residents, workers and visitors to employment, housing and recreational opportunities in the years ahead.

Vivien Li is the executive director of The Boston Harbor Association.