When Massport launched its remote terminal in Framingham for Delta and JetBlue flights a few months ago, it marked the first time the concept was offered in the US for passengers of all fare classes, and not just high-end fliers.
But it almost certainly won’t be the last.
In remarks to Associated Industries of Massachusetts members last week, Massport chief executive Rich Davey talked about how representatives from airports in Philadelphia and Washington have visited to see the remote terminal in action. Davey also described more plans for Greater Boston, mentioning how a remote terminal will be incorporated into the construction of two garages that will go up at the Logan Express lot in Braintree. In Boston, he’s looking at offering the service temporarily for large events at the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in South Boston, as well as a more permanent location behind the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay.
Travelers using the remote terminal can check their bags and go through security in Framingham, and then get taken by bus to their respective gates at Logan Airport, in front of security, avoiding Logan’s lines. (The cost for the “straight to gate” bus is the same as the regular Logan Express shuttle bus from Framingham: $9 each way, plus $7 a day to park.)
So far, Davey said, about 25,000 people have used the service since Massport launched it in June at its Logan Express parking location in Framingham. The eight buses have drawn, on average, about 200 travelers daily, or about half of their collective capacity. That amounts to less than 1 percent of the passenger traffic at Logan, but every little bit helps when it comes to reducing congestion at the terminal curbs.
Davey also talked about how Massport has received thousands of applications for a “Voice of Logan” contest, for someone to record a greeting for arriving visitors. The group will be narrowed down to five finalists later this month, with the public getting to vote for their favorite; the winner will be announced next month.
“There are two important elections in November,” Davey joked with the AIM crowd, gathered last Tuesday at Babson College’s downtown offices. “One of the things we’ve been trying to do is bring a little fun back to travel.”
This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston’s business scene.
Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him @jonchesto.