Presented in this paper is a case study conducted in the Boston, Massachusetts, area that describes existing and required operational features of potential supplemental freight scenarios associated with passenger ferries. A basic, approximate comparison of economic costs associated with each scenario is presented to assist in developing more detailed marketing and demand analyses and possible implementation of a pilot project. Despite technological advances in waterborne transportation and, in many cases, a considerable passenger demand for ferry travel, provision of services frequently needs to be subsidized by public agencies so that fares remain competitive with alternative modes. In Boston, recently inaugurated shuttle and commuter passenger ferry services are currently meeting a significant portion of their operating costs, and other important transportation system advantages are evident in terms of modal diversity. However, in order to augment farebox revenues and reduce passenger fare subsidies, other sources of revenue are being investigated. Supplemental freight items that can be carried aboard regular passenger ferries so that passenger service is not disrupted or made less attractive are seen as a possible means of obtaining this additional revenue.

The potential for passenger ferry services in a number of metropolitan areas of the United States appears to be growing as congestion of land-based transportation increases. Yet, despite technological advances in waterborne transportation and, in many cases, a considerable passenger demand for ferry travel, provision of services frequently needs to be subsidized by public agencies so that fares remain competitive with alter-native modes. In Boston, Massachusetts, recently inaugurated shuttle and commuter passenger ferry services are currently meeting a significant portion of their operating costs, and other important transportation system advantages are evident in terms of modal diversity.