BOSTON – In an effort to continue to offer passengers quality HOV (high occupancy vehicle) and public transportation options to and from Logan Airport, the Board voted to extend the pilot program for the Back Bay Logan Express through September 2017 and restructure the fare during the April meeting of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board.

The Back Bay Logan Express, one of five Logan Express options, began as a two-year pilot program in April 2014 as part of Massport’s overall effort to increase HOV ridership and provide access to Logan while the Government Center MBTA station underwent renovations. The route serves Hynes Convention Center, Copley Plaza and the Back Bay hotel and business district. This area generates approximately 5 percent of all air passenger ground access trips to Logan.

The route has proven to be popular with airport passengers traveling to and from Boston and Massport is looking to continue the service. In 2015, there were a total of 290,796 riders.

The service currently costs Massport more than $1 million per year. Wanting to continue the service for passengers as an efficient option to and from the Back Bay area, the Board voted to increase the fare effective June 1, 2016:

One way full fare of $7.50 by credit card in either direction;
One way full fare of $3.00 by credit card with a valid MBTA Charlie Card in either direction;
Airport employees can get a pass for $60 per month

“We will be watching closely what impact the re-opening of the Government Center T station has on ridership, but we need to make financial and operating decisions regarding the future of the pilot program,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Ridership continues to grow and customer feedback has been positive. The extension to September 30, 2017 will allow Massport to continue to market the service and increase ridership to reduce the deficit.”

Logan Airport has been a leader in HOV for years and has increased total seats by 250% since 1990. Massport has a long list of transportation initiatives and improvements, including:

Contributions to Silver Line– free service from Logan to South Station, Massport purchased 8 buses, subsidizes operations and modernization of its fleet;
HOV curbside priority at all terminals;
Hybrid vehicle priority parking;
Electric vehicle charging stations

Hov Seats

In July 2015, Massport opened a new garage for the Framingham Logan Express. The new four-level garage has 1,037 total parking spaces and includes spaces reserved for alternate fuel vehicles and four electric vehicle charging ports. In addition to reducing vehicle trips to the airport, the garage has several green elements, such as high-efficiency lighting fixtures; automated controls and LED luminares; and a high-efficiency condensing boiler. During construction, efforts were made to use materials high in recycled content and regionally sourced materials.

More about the different HOV and public transportation options to and from Logan can be found on the Massport website at www.massport.com/logan-airport/to-and-from-logan/.

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