MBTA ferry Glory Eric Kilby
Ferry

Boston Harbor City Cruises wins new contract to continue operating MBTA ferries

Alan Bosworth

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has selected Boston Harbor City Cruises, a subsidiary of the Hornblower Group, to continue as the operator of its ferry services in the Boston and Massachusetts metro region. The selection follows a public proposal and evaluation process.

The new contract is for a term of five years and eight months. As operator, Boston Harbor City Cruises runs seven of its own vessels and nine MBTA-owned vessels. In 2024, the company completed nearly 58,000 trips for the MBTA ferry services while carrying more than 1.4 million passengers.

The company first began as an operating partner for the MBTA in 1986.

Bob Lawler, Regional Vice President and General Manager for Boston Harbor City Cruises, described the selection as a reflection of the years of successful collaboration between the two organisations.

David Perry, the MBTA's Director of Ferry Operations, noted the agency's commitment to providing a reliable schedule of water transportation services.