The Steamship Authority board of governors Tuesday approved a $911,000 contract for dock work at the Vineyard Haven terminal, which is set to commence at the beginning of 2026 after the terminal’s transfer bridges are replaced next month.
The Steamship Authority board of governors Tuesday approved a $911,000 contract for dock work at the Vineyard Haven terminal, which is set to commence at the beginning of 2026 after the terminal’s transfer bridges are replaced next month.
The terminal will be limited to one slip while the transfer bridge work is under way, and there will continue to be no standby for visitors through the end of March.
Both Vineyard Haven projects, as well as the ongoing Woods Hole project, will increase traffic at the terminals, Steamship director of shoreside operations Alison Fletcher said as she asked the board to extend its no-standbys policy for another year.
The Vineyard route remains reservation only through March.
The Vineyard route remains reservation only through March.
“Staff has recommended extending the day of sail reservation-only program to year round on the Martha’s Vineyard route, to help ease congestion at the terminals and to better serve our traveling public,” Ms. Fletcher said.
James Malkin, the Vineyard representative on the board of governors, was reluctant to renew the policy for a full year, saying he wanted to see whether standby vehicles could be staged at the Palmer avenue parking lot in Falmouth instead of at the Woods Hole terminal.
Ms. Fletcher said she plans to meet with the parking managers to develop a trial program for Palmer avenue staging.
The Blue Line, a standby system that provides some same-day travel for qualified Islanders only, will continue, she said.
Board members voted to extend the standby moratorium through March and asked Ms. Fletcher to return with the Palmer avenue plan when they meet Dec. 9 in Hyannis.
Also Tuesday, the Steamship Authority board approved vehicle reservation opening dates for travel May 14 through Oct. 22, 2026.
Head start reservations will run from Jan. 13 through Jan. 26, with non-transferable reservations only until Jan. 20.
The general opening for internet reservations on the Nantucket route will be Jan. 27 and the Vineyard’s general internet opening is set for Feb. 3.
Telephone reservations will begin Feb. 10 for the summer season and on June 17 for the fall schedule.
Comments
Run standby out of New
MikeRun standby out of New Bedford. Make a reservation, go to Woods Hole. Last-minute trip? Take your chances in New Bedford. Divide the traffic and conquer.
Yet more of the same
Tim Greer TisburyYet more of the same mismanagement.
If the private New London ferry to Long Island can have 7 day a week standby service year round then
the Steamship Authority can do the same .
One may think this no standby policy has more to do with the significant parking revenue at the Falmouth parking lots the Steamship realizes than actually doing their job to provide the best uninterrupted ferry service to Island
residents and visitors.
If the Times took a poll today and asked
Vineyarders do you want year round , 7 day a week standby , what do you think the results would favor ? Question answered, Yes !
More efficient Parking AND
james Vineyard HavenMore efficient Parking AND SHUTTLES WITH A FAST FERRY!! this will eliminate a lot of problems
The New London ferry is
Albert GosnoldThe New London ferry is private owned.
When they do not make a profit they will shut down.
7/24 standby?
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