New York City has proposed the first major overhaul of its ferry system since it launched in 2017. The city’s Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday released its NYC Ferry Network Optimization Plan, which includes several route changes aimed at providing better access to Midtown and Lower Manhattan, speeding up trips, and expanding capacity on busy routes.
The proposed route changes include new direct service from the Bronx to the Rockaways and from South Brooklyn to Midtown, a connection between Staten Island and Brooklyn via the St. George Route, and a plan to split the East River line into two distinct routes.
To reach the Rockaways, Bronx ferry riders currently board at either Throggs Neck or Soundview, travel down Manhattan’s East Side, and disembark at Pier 11 in Wall Street. From there, they must transfer to a separate vessel bound for southern Queens.
Under the proposed direct route—spanning roughly 33.5 miles—Bronx residents could reach the beach in about two hours, cutting 30 minutes off the current travel time. The new route could also benefit some Rockaways commuters, who often spend hours on the train traveling to jobs in Manhattan and the Bronx.
The network optimization plan is the agency’s first systemwide evaluation of the system. The plan builds on the goals of NYC Ferry Forward, launched by Mayor Eric Adams in 2022 to create a more equitable, accessible, and financially sustainable ferry system.
“For the first time since our launch in 2017, NYC Ferry is taking a fresh, holistic look across the system and proposing a comprehensive reconfiguration of routes to improve rider experience, fix known issues, and ensure NYC Ferry is a mainstay on our waterways for years to come,” James Wong, executive director of NYC Ferry, said in a statement, as reported by Gothamist.
The proposal will undergo a public comment period this summer, with final route changes expected in September. The EDC aims to implement the new routes by year’s end. A virtual information session will be held on July 21.
New Yorkers can share their feedback on the proposed changes here.
In May, the NYCEDC unveiled plans to expand its popular “Rockaway Rocket” and “Rockaway Reserve” programs to make ferry trips to the Rockaways easier. The expanded service offers more reserved seats at a new price of $12 per ticket, up from $10, allowing beachgoers to secure spots on the often crowded ferries in advance.
Running through September 7, the “Rockaway Reserve” program allows riders to book seats on select morning ferries to the Rockaways and afternoon return trips to Wall Street/Pier 11 and Brooklyn Army Terminal along the Rockaway Route.
RELATED:
Get Insider Updates with Our Newsletter!
Source link
