Our project is located 1250ft from a commuter ferry terminal operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). During the project\'s regular weekday operating hours, ferry boats arrive and depart 18 times daily, carrying commuters between our Hingham site and Rowe\'s Wharf in downtown Boston. The terminal at Rowe\'s Wharf is within 1/2 mile of three MBTA subway stations where commuters may board three different subway lines or a number of commuter rail lines.We believe the commuter ferry may be considered an acceptable form of alternative transportation for achieving this credit\'s intent of reducing the pollution and land development impacts of automobile use.
The project is seeking clarification if a commuter ferry is an acceptable form of alternative transportation for achievement of SSc4.1 Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access. The situation described does not meet the intent of the credit. In order for the ferry to serve as a shuttle to connect building occupants to a larger public transportation network, the ferry must provide direct service and operate at a frequency and capacity to serve the occupants of the building, including evening and weekend service, and is reasonably coordinated with the subway and rail service schedule. Additionally, the cumulative walking distance must meet the credit requirements.