Comments on: RIPTA Ferry, FINALLY!

By: mental757

mental757 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:29:30 +0000

here is the press release from the ripta website:

http://www.ripta.com/content2089.html

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:52:24 +0000

Didn’t they say that last year?

By: Jef Nickerson

Jef Nickerson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:45:04 +0000

No ferry this year

By: mental757

mental757 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:16:40 +0000

9/29/09 PROJO: “Mechanical troubles led to demise of Newport ferry service”

http://www.projo.com/news/content/RIPTA_ferry_09-29-09_J5FSJ6E_v8.3b40dfa.html

By: mental757

mental757 — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:34:52 +0000

Agreed, but this year’s service and potential future service can operate without a RIPTA subsidy. I’d rather have the service un-subsidized and more expensive, then nothing at all – which is what we got this year.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:36:23 +0000

Personally, I expected that this would happen and we are now in September the water taxi would be ending some time next month. In addition, RIPTA and the State of Rhode Island are having budget problems, also RIPTA’s Boston Counterpart, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)is having their budget issues too and may disconitue their Year Round Commuter Ferry Operations (aka personally dubbed, “The MBTA Aqua Line”) operated by Boston Harbor Cruises between Long Wharf & Charlestown Navy Yard (Inner Harbor Ferry) and between Rowes Wharf & Hewitt Cover in Hingham (Hingham Commuter Boat) and another ferry service operated be Water Transportation Alternatives(WTA), The MBTA’s Harbor Express Ferry between Long Wharf, Perberton Pier in Hull, Quincy Fore River Shipyard & Logan Airport.
Before RIPTA has plan another ferry or water taxi service, they should get their budget in order.
Now as far as RIPTA subsidizing ferry service to Block Island, I do not see it happening at this time and first RIPTA and Interstate Navigation must establish a contract first. As far as RIPTA ferry operations are concerned, I think they are restricted to passenger only-commuter ferry runs between Newport & Providence. The former Providence, Newport & Block Island (before the RIPTA Ferry Service Between Providence & Newport) and the current Newport & Block Island Ferry Run operated by Interstate Navigation are seasonal ferry runs. If RIPTA added Block Island to their service area, both RIPTA & Interstate Navigation would also have to agree on a contract for the year round vehicle-passenger ferry run between Point Judith & Block Island, which during the off Season cuts back on their ferry runs, especially during the winter. In addtion, if there is a winter storm, the ferry will not run.
There are a number of things that RIPTA should also look into, which I mention with some earlier responses regarding RIPTA’s Water Transit Operations, that I hope is looked into at the appropriate time and not when RIPTA has budget issues.

By: mental757

mental757 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:04:33 +0000

OK, lets get to work on next year’s service now, so we can avoid these problems, no, wait…

…actually have the service.

By: Jef Nickerson

Jef Nickerson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:11:14 +0000

Well that's that done then.

By: mental757

mental757 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:08:52 +0000

It would say a lot to have an established operator do the service. People might be willing to pay the higher fares for a full-service vessel. Having food/drinks would create additional revenue for the operator in an unsubsidized agreement. RIPTA’s marketing efforts would help “sell” the service. I really think linking Providence, Newport, and Block Island would make lots of sense. Instead of having people take the bus to Galilee, bring the ship to Providence!

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:36:33 +0000

Narragansett Bay Shipping website with the M/V Nelseco and my comments about it becoming a RIPTA Ferry.
http://www.narragansettbayshipping.com/shipDetail.cfm?fs=1&id=927