Save Our Commuter Rail & Ferry
The Hingham/Hull Ferry services and the Greenbush commuter rail line are in danger of being eliminated! The MBTA and the Fiscal Management Control Board (FMCB) are considering proposals to eliminate the Hingham/Hull ferry service and drastically reduce the Greenbush commuter rail service. The FMCB is scheduled to meet virtually to vote on the service cuts on Monday, December 7, 2020.
We need your help!
All riders — commuters, day trippers, business owners, guests, and advocates — are encouraged to show support for the Hingham/Hull Ferry services, Greenbush commuter rail line, and other public transit services.
Watch!
The FMCB meetings are livestreamed. You can watch by clicking on the event’s link on the right hand column at the time of the event. We encourage residents to watch the meetings to hear current details and to show the public is paying attention. While the moderators cannot see who attends, they will see the number of viewers. Boosting viewership shows that the public values these transit services.
October 19th Livestream: https://livestream.com/accounts/20617794/events/9295562
Comment!
One way to show the MBTA that the public is paying attention and values ferry and commuter rail services is to submit comments before the FMCB’s meetings.
Before each meeting, submit public comments in one of three ways:
1) Written comment via email to publiccomment@dot.state.ma.us or mailed to the address listed in the agenda.
2) Voice message comments may be submitted by calling 857-368-1655 and leaving a brief message by 10:00am on the Monday of the meeting. No more than 3 minutes.
3) Real-time comments may be made through telephone conference call; please email publiccomment@dot.state.ma.us by 10:00am on the Monday of the meeting to sign up. No more than 3 minutes.
When the public commenting period opens on November 9, we will provide you and this page with a link with sample comments and instructions on how to submit comments in this section. Please subscribe in the sidebar to receive an email notification.In addition, you can submit feedback to the MBTA’s Forging Ahead scenario plan (the plan calling for service cuts – learn more here) using this feedback form. Note: the MBTA has stated that they will review all comments, regardless of if they are submitted through this survey, by email / voicemail, or via any other medium.
Speak up!
Please share why you value the Hingham/Hull ferry and the Greenbush commuter rail. Send an email to the MBTA General Manager at publiccomment@dot.state.ma.us and the Secretary of Transportation and the Governor at Constituent.services@state.ma.us. Please copy Representative Meschino at Joan.Meschino@MAHouse.gov and Senator O’Connor at Patrick.O’Connor@MASenate.gov on your email.
Specifically for the ferry, please consider signing the petition started by the Town of Hull to show your support as well.
You can also volunteer to participate further, including by handing out flyers and sharing your story for a social media campaign. Find out more at www.savetheferry.org.
Important Links
- State Senator Patrick O’Connor’s web page
- Grassroots activism website: www.savetheferry.org
Learn More
In the news:
- Citizens Urged to Fight Proposed MBTA Service Cuts – The Hingham Anchor (10.21.20)
- South Shore jockeying to save ferry as T eyes cuts – The Patriot Ledger (10.20.20)
- MBTA is changing its forecast and expects fewer riders next year – The Boston Globe (10.19.20)
- Hull and Hingham residents decry proposed cuts to MBTA ferry – Wicked Local (10.16.20)
- Hingham selectman urges residents to fight proposed cuts to ferry service – Wicked Local (10.14.20)
- MBTA ferry could be cancelled permanently – The Hingham Journal (10.09.20)
- Cash-strapped MBTA could be hit hard by service cuts – The Boston Globe (10.05.20)
- T’s budget woes could affect Hull if ferry service is curtailed, ended – The Hull Times (10.02.20)
State Representative Joan Meschino press releases: