The Traveling Wheelchair

Long Wharf
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-222-6999
MBTA Harbor Express: http://www.harborexpress.com/commuters/

Harbor Island Ferry: http://www.harborexpress.com/harborislands/

Recently my mom, Tony, Ric and I visited Georges Island and were pleased how wheelchair accessible it is. We heard that Spectacle Island is even more accessible so this week we headed to this Boston Harbor Island. My friend Douglas had the day off so he came along for our adventure.

We traveled to Boston Long Wharf and purchased ferry tickets to Spectacle Island at the Ticket Kiosks on the dock next to the  Boston Marriott Long Wharf.  Ferry service to Boston Harbor Islands is provided by Water Transportation Alternatives, Inc., under contract to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Here I found the Customer Service Window is NOT wheelchair accessible for it is too high. The cost of tickets is pricey for a short ferry ride. Once on the Spectacle Island everything is free except for the cost of food and beverages.  My mom purchased our tickets to Spectacle Island. The cost of a ticket is: Adult $14.00; Senior (65+) $10.00; Child (3-11) $8.00; Children under 3 FREE. We were told there is NO DISCOUNT for disabled or persons in a wheelchair. We think there should be a discount for persons in wheelchairs because not all of the ferry is wheelchair accessible.

After purchasing our tickets we headed down a wide sloped walkway (ramp) leading to pier. The slope is gradual and it’s very accessible for wheelchairs and baby strollers. This ramp leads to the pier where you board the ferry. It is a floating pier that goes up and down with the tides as does the ferry so the pier is at the same level as the main deck of the ferry. Access onto the ferry is easy here. All passengers wheel/walk over a small accessible threshold ramp.

A wheelchair can ONLY fit in an open area in the front on the lower deck where you board the ferry. The upper level deck is NOT wheelchair accessible for there are steps. The booths like seats are NOT wheelchair accessible; the concession stand is NOT wheelchair accessible for it is too high for me to reach. Ric measured it and it is 47 inches high. The restroom on this ferry is located on the lower level where I was sitting. The restroom is NOT wheelchair accessible for the door is too narrow. The door measures only 24 inches wide and my chair is 27 inches wide.

I really enjoyed the ferry ride and the beautiful views of the skyline of Boston!!

I give Harbor Islands Express at Long Wharf in Boston THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars they need to lower the customer service window where you purchase a ticket to a wheelchair accessible height; provide a cost discount to wheelchair-seated travelers since not all the ferry is accessible; widen the restroom door; and lower a section of concession counter on the ferry.