Towns of Hingham, Hull, Scituate and Cohasset Continue to Advocate for Transit Services as Schedule Changes Soon to Take Effect

SOUTH SHORE — The Towns of Hingham, Hull, Scituate and Cohasset continue to oppose cuts to transit service throughout the South Shore, as the MBTA announced this week that schedule changes will soon take effect.

As approved by the T’s Fiscal and Management Control Board last month, the schedule changes will take effect on Jan. 23. These changes, part of the MBTA’s Forging Ahead plan, will impact the ability of thousands of South Shore riders to travel to and from Boston as part of their daily commute, their access to medical appointments, and much more. 

“These service cuts will have a drastic negative impact on riders but also on business owners, the environment, and much more,” Hull Town Manager Phil Lemnios said. “We understand the position the MBTA is in as a result of the pandemic, but we must hold them to their promise to re-evaluate these cuts as we get further into the year and our communities start to return to normal as people begin receiving their vaccines.”

As part of the changes, the direct Hingham ferry line will be temporarily suspended and a reduced-frequency weekday Hingham-Hull ferry schedule will begin.

Weekend service on the Greenbush commuter rail line, which runs through each of the four towns, is also being temporarily suspended. 

Reduced Schedule

As part of the reduced Hingham-Hull ferry line schedule, a total of 17 weekday trips to Boston will make stops from Hingham to Long Wharf (nine trips directly to Long Wharf with two trips also stopping at Hull for a total of 11) and from Hull to Long Wharf (six direct trips total). The first trip from Hingham will depart at 5:40 a.m., the first trip from Hull at 6 a.m., the last trip from Hingham at 7 p.m., and the last trip from Hull at 4:20 p.m.

A total of 17 weekday return trips to Hingham/Hull will make stops between Long Wharf, Hull and Hingham with the first trip from Long Wharf to Hingham at 6:30 a.m. and the last trip between Long Wharf, Hull and Hingham at 8 p.m.

There will be no weekend Hingham-Hull ferry service as part of the reduced schedule. 

For a full and complete listing of all upcoming service changes, including all changes to bus routes, Commuter Rail lines and subway frequency, click here.

“We understand that these cuts could have been a lot worse, were it not for the outcry not only from local officials but also riders,” Hingham Town Administrator Thomas Mayo said. “We will continue to do whatever we can to ensure these cuts are reviewed and evaluated, and that efforts are made to restore service as quickly as possible for the people of the South Shore who rely on commuter rail and ferry service as part of their daily lives.”

Stay Informed

To learn more about the Save the Greenbush-Save the Boat campaign sponsored by the Towns of Hingham, Hull, Scituate and Cohasset, visit the campaign website here or follow the campaign on Facebook here.

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