Just a year after starting the initiative, Seastreak announced that it is no longer offering commuter service between New Bedford and Martha’s Vineyard this winter, a decision that has disappointed some local officials.
Seastreak President James Barker said that the decision to end the winter service comes as a commuter train long expected to run between New Bedford and Boston has been delayed time and time again, which is making it harder for Seastreak to work financially. He was hoping the commuter rail could boost revenue for Seastreak, with more travelers coming off-Island to get to Boston through New Bedford.
“We started the service understanding that the train in New Bedford would be ready to go by December or winter of last year, but they delayed the project,” Barker told The Times. “We met as a team recently and looked at the numbers, and we just weren’t in the position to take another loss like we did last year.”
Barker told the Oak Bluffs select board last month that they had lost more money than they expected in the first year, roughly $200,000.
The decision to cancel the service after just one season is frustrating some Vineyard officials, who note that the Island is becoming more and more reliant on workers from off-Island to provide essential services, with the higher cost of living. The Seastreak option could open the Island up to more off-Cape workers in the New Bedford and South Coast region.
“With the issues of housing and everything else that we face, commuter service throughout the winter is essential for workers who can’t afford to live here,” said Jim Malkin, the Vineyard representative to the Steamship Authority board and Chilmark select board.
Malkin said that when Seastreak first approached the board for permission to run the service, the Steamship relayed that it would likely take a few years of not making any money before the service caught on.
“That was discussed at the Steamship. It’s only been a year, and they are pulling the plug,” Malkin said. “I am really disappointed, given the foreknowledge and warning.”
Barker did express optimism that once the commuter rail between the city and South Coast is up and running, Seastreak could bring back the winter commuter service, possibly even next fall.
“We would really like to try this again,” Barker said. “We think there is a future in it.”
I can see their point.
But once it happens, it should be great. I rode my bike from New Bedford to Lakeville, where the line now ends. The New Bedford station is quite near the ferry. Everything looks all set to go but apparently a ton of testing needs to be done, especially because they are looking to hit a top speed of 79 MPH, which would be the fastest in the system and among the fastest in the country for commuter rail. (Don’t get me started on the rest of the world.)
I understand their point as well and I hope it can resume when the train is up and running. I also find it refreshing to hear Seastreak’s President be honest and direct about what they are doing and why. Big difference between that and the onslaught of lies that we get from the SSA.
How has the SSA lied?
Perhaps one of the bus lines could be enticed to meet the boat in the AM and late afternoon?
It’s a shame to lose this access both to New Bedford/Boston and to Providence.
Buses meet all sea streak ferries.
I may not be the brightest monkey in the meadow, but why would anyone living on Martha’s Vineyard go to Boston through New Bedford?
It’s faster.
No bridges.
The parking is much cheaper.
Not that many go to Boston.
MV > WH > BOS: 45 min boat ride + 2 hr bus*
= 2 hrs 45 min – 3 hrs total (Peter Pan estimates 2 hrs 15 min on Monday AM)
MV > WH > Palmer Ave lot > BOS: 45 min boat ride + 15 min shuttle + *90 min, 79 mile drive to BOS (@ 60 mph)*
= 2 hrs 30 min total
(*bus and drive time assumes good weather & no bridge, tunnel, and/or rush hour traffic.
Projected drive time for Monday AM is 2hrs 45 min, not 90 min on a Sunday afternoon*)
MV > NB > BOS: 60 min boat + 60 min train (58 miles @ 60 mph, far below max of 79 mph) = 2 hrs total
Excellent response!
Jane, the NB to Boston train will never be an hour ride. They are predicting it is a 1.5hr ride assuming no delays.
Source?
How long is the drive from Woods Hole, assuming no delays.
Bridges come to mind.