Commuter ferry use reported up

PAWTUCKET – Increasing ridership of its two ferries, Hope and Renaissance, both on the commuter connection with Providence and on tours was reported by Water Cruises of Rhode Island. In September, the company reported, a total of 2,241 passengers used the boats, 1,071 commuters, and 1,170 on what the company calls its “leisure tours.” On those tours, 716 riders took the weekend journey and 415 took the weekday tours offered between the morning and evening commuter periods. Water Cruises began the service with the 49 passenger boats in July. Since then, 8,459 passengers have used the boats, 5,548 on the commuter runs and 2,911 on tours. The company added weekend commuter trips last month, service that attracted 115 riders, Water Cruises reported.