River's a natural fit for water taxi

A water taxi similar to one that operates from the South Shore to Logan Airport, may soon be operating on the Mystic River. (David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)

Somerville and even Boston could be among the destinations served by a new mode of mass public transportation in Medford - by boat on the Mystic River.

Medford is using $706,000 in federal grant money to develop a Mystic water taxi as part of a larger plan to increase the city's interaction with the meandering waterway by linking existing and future developments.

The water taxi will also be an alternative form of transportation and could link the city's 55,565 residents to riverfront developments in Somerville, Malden, and Everett, said Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn. There is also the possibility of the boat taking people into Boston. "There is so much development taking place along the river in all neighboring communities that there is potential to create a whole new economy," McGlynn said. "They know what we want to do and that there is a lot of potential there."

The federal money, from the Ferry Boat Discretionary Program, will be used to plan the taxi route of three or four Mystic sites in Medford and then develop a dock at Medford Square. The grant was $825,000, but Congress rescinded a portion of it, leaving $706,000.

"Lots of people would like to be able to enjoy the river more, but people can't get to it very easily," said Penny Antonoglou, a Cambridge resident who works five days a week in Medford. "Some stretches are really nice, but there is some discontinuation between those areas."

The city will have the planning for the water taxi underway by next summer with the construction of the Medford Square dock to follow. And soon after, the Mystic River could play a whole new role for Medford and neighboring communities.

Brad Kane can be reached at brad.j.kane@gmail.com.