Could the FAA sink possible Massport takeover of harbor ferries?

By adamg on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 3:23pm

No, not because Massport would want to buy some 40-story ferryboats if it agrees to take over ferry service from the MBTA but because the FAA is concerned the authority might use some of its airport revenue to subsidize commuter boats, Jon Chesto reports. T officials have floated the idea of handing the ferries over to Massport as a way to keep them running as the T runs out of money.

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Comments

Floated the idea?

By O-FISH-L on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 5:16pm.

Punny.

Good for the FAA

By anon on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 7:39pm.

Why are taxpayers paying to subsidize ferry service?
It's not "green"...Boats use huge amounts of fuel per mile.
It's not economically significant...Ridership is very low and there are other ways of getting around.

Massport should not have to inherit this boat lover's boondoggle. If riders want a nice boat ride then they should pay for it themselves. Instead of Ferry service, Massport should lower their numerous shakedown fees (airport parking, takeoff and landing, baggage, taxi, southie waterfront meters and parking tickets)

In other words......

By merlinmurph on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 7:36am.

"I'm not in a position to use the ferries, so why have them?"

Similarly, why are taxpayers

By MikeIP on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:51am.

Similarly, why are taxpayers paying to subsidize road construction?
It's not "green" . . . motor vehicles use huge amounts of fuel per mile.
It's not economically significant . . . There are other ways of getting around.

Another Loop Hole

By tom cunningham on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:15am.

I have no problem with people taking boat rides, but they should do it on their own dime. Trying to find a "loop hole" so that MassPort can subsidize the ferries makes about as much sense as letting the people who have the most wealth in this country pass less than their fair share of taxes ( gotta love the loop holes )

Why are taxpayers paying to subsidize ferry service?

By tom cunningham on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:52pm.

anon took the words right out of my mouth with the following quote

"Why are taxpayers paying to subsidize ferry service?
It's not "green"...Boats use huge amounts of fuel per mile.
It's not economically significant...Ridership is very low and there are other ways of getting around."

I could not agree with him more!