Full-Service Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard Out of New Bedford Could Finally Happen

How much more convenient would it be to catch a full-service ferry to Martha's Vineyard out of New Bedford rather than having to drive to Woods Hole? That could be a game changer for travelers and a boost for New Bedford's economy.

The idea of expanding ferry service to New Bedford has been discussed for years, but it could finally be on the fast track.

"Not just freight, but cars, passengers, the whole works, like we have coming out of Hyannis," Alex Kryska, the recently appointed General Manager of the Steamship Authority, reportedly told the seven-member Port Council that advises the Steamship Authority.

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The Vineyard Gazette reported Kryska told the Council, "As long as I am here, and [unless] somebody knocks me off my perch, that is my goal: to have service – full service – coming out of New Bedford."

New Bedford To Martha's Vineyard Full Ferry Service Is On The Table

Easing Traffic Bottlenecks in Woods Hole

Trucks carrying freight to the island have competed with private cars for ferry space out of Woods Hole for years, creating traffic nightmares for many residents.

While Kryska offered no specifics about his proposal for full ferry service between the two ports, he said he is interested in studying it.

Steamship Authority History in New Bedford

New Bedford currently has Seastreak fast ferry service to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but was a part of the Steamship Authority's full ferry line from the late 1940s until around 1960.

READ MORE: How New Bedford's Beloved Ferry Schamonchi Looks Today

The Vineyard Gazette reported, "Mr. Kyska believed now may be a good time to revisit expanding ferries from New Bedford, and he says he has been in discussions with Gordon Carr, the New Bedford Port Council member and head of the New Bedford Port Authority."

Feasibility Study and Next Steps

Kryska said expansion to New Bedford could be several years away. "It's going to take us a while to build out and build up New Bedford," he said.

The next step is likely a feasibility study.