T launches Wi-Fi on ferry service

BOSTON. The MBTA’s 11 commuter boats have been equipped with free Wi-Fi service, an amenity T officials hope will boost interest and offer riders the chance to get some work done as they commute by ferry.

“The attractive thing about boats is that people spend more time in transit,” MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas said yesterday, when the service was announced. “They can be a lot more productive.”

About 4,500 customers ride the MBTA’s commuter boat service daily. The T will also be adding two new direct Hull-to-Boston trips on weekdays that will depart at 7:55 a.m. and 8:55 a.m.

The service comes as T officials report ridership is on the rise. This year, commuter boat ridership between Boston and Hull is up 9 percent, service from Quincy to Boston is up 3 percent and George’s Island ridership from Quincy has increased 16 percent. Overall MBTA ridership has increased 6.2 percent this year.

The T spent the last five months planning, testing and installing the equipment. It cost between $1,200 and $15,000 to make each boat Wi-Fi ready.

The Worcester-Framingham commuter rail currently offers a pilot Wi-Fi service for riders, which the T hopes to wrap up later this year and eventually expand, said Grabauskas.