THE MERRIMACK RIVER – The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MeVa) hopes soon to offer a new way to travel between Salisbury and Haverhill for residents and visitors.
MeVa, which provides free bus transportation to 16 communities, mostly along the river, is moving this summer to begin offering two of its brightly colored ferries to transport passengers up and down the river.
Last week, MeVa began looking for qualified design-build contracts to submit proposals for two solar-powered, electric ferries with net zero emissions.
“Although we provide an excellent bus service; seasonal summer congestion remains an issue for two of our member communities, Newburyport and Salisbury, that sit upon the coast,” the request for proposal stated.
In the 17th century colonial era, ferries were used for transportation along the river, but none exist today. There is only private charters and tour boats, which do not alleviate the congestion. And none of these vessels offer green solutions.
The plan is to have several stops between the cities of Haverhill and Newburyport, serving Groveland, Merrimac, Amesbury, West Newbury and Salisbury. MeVa would complement the ferries with seasonal bus routes among the marinas and public landings on both banks of the river.
This service is new to MeVa and will provide important connections with its buses, the RFP stated.
The ferries, once in operation, will provide seasonal alternative transportation to destinations along the Northshore seacoast, relieve major traffic congestion and the burden of excessive parking fees at local shore towns and create a platform for local passengers to experience the history, value and environment that make the Merrimack River one of the state’s most important resources.
Copies of this RFP document, and any subsequently issued addenda, may be obtained through MeVa’s website at https://mevatransit.com/procurements. ♦
