Save The Ferry Petition Gathers 350 Signatures

A number of Charlestown residents joined other T riders in packing a public meeting room at the transportation building Monday night to decry proposed as the MBTA attempts to balance its budget.

Jennifer Schultz, one of the Charlestown residents behind the “Save the Charlestown Ferry” Facebook page, said in an email that she was 45th of 80 people to speak at the assembly. While there, she said, she also submitted a petition with more than 350 signatures in support of the ferry.

“The General Manager of the MBTA, Jonathan Davis, was present, and he briefly spoke to allege that the MBTA was legitimately concerned and interested in hearing responses and ideas from the commuters,” Schultz said. “We sincerely hope so, since the only two proposals presently on the table cut out our community entirely, and we believe this is an unnecessary means to solve the MBTA-created budget deficit.”

A twitter user presented at the meeting noted support for the Charlestown Ferry as one of the dominant themes of the night, and Save the Charlestown Ferry isn’t done yet: a member of the group posted on its Facebook page Monday night that members plan to circulate another petition.

Facebook user Martha A. R. Bewick also urged Charlestown Ferry supporters to attend the MBTA meeting in Hingham to support the ferry system as a whole.