The city recently announced NYC Ferry service cuts that will save the city $10 million, but will not delay the expansion to Throggs Neck.
On May 15, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the following changes, including service modifications enacted in response to the COVID-19 crisis as well as permanent changes to service that improve system-wide efficiency and cost-savings.
“The goal of NYC Ferry is to connect communities and provide New Yorkers with additional transit options and that commitment will never change,” said James Patchett, president and CEO of the NYCEDC. “Through these modifications to service, we are able to save the city money, provide even better service to our riders, including essential workers. We are also happy to reaffirm our commitment to expansion in Staten Island, Coney Island, and Throggs Neck, areas where New Yorkers have endured notoriously long commutes. We look forward to NYC Ferry service arriving in these locations next year.”
NYC Ferry has already reduced service by nearly 30 percent since March 23 in response to low ridership related to the COVID-19 pause.
To increase cost-savings, improve system-wide efficiency, and implement a more connected service for riders, service modifications were enacted beginning on May 18, which will result in an additional 20 percent service reduction. The modifications include:
- an additional, temporary reduction in service during the Pause period. On both weekdays and weekends, NYC Ferry service will end at approximately 9 p.m.
- creating a more connected and efficient system. NYC Ferry will permanently reconfigure three routes: the Lower East Side, South Brooklyn and Soundview. This will allow NYC Ferry to continue serving all existing landings at a lower cost. All riders will still have connections to the job hub at Wall Street and Corlears Hook riders will have additional direct connections to job hubs in Sunset Park (BAT) and Red Hook. For existing South Brooklyn riders, this change means faster and more ways to get between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
These cuts will have no affect on the impending stop coming to Throggs Neck next year.
“The ferry is going to be wonderful for the people in Throggs Neck,” said City Island resident and activist John Doyle. “The hope is it builds on this success and gets further stops.
The Soundview route, when expanded to Throggs Neck, will be approximately 60 minutes. Currently, it takes about 50 minutes. Also, it has now added a stop from the Lower East Side route, so it serves Stuyvesant Cove (22nd St). The fare would match the standard $2.75 subway fare.
The planned ferry will make commuting from the east Bronx to Manhattan easier. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto looks forward to the ferry coming to his district.
“For a city which is surrounded by water, not to employ its waterways for transportation is foolish,” Benedetto said. “Myself and my constituents eagerly await the start of the ferry service to Ferry Point park in Throggs Neck. I applaud the NYC Ferry expansion and NYC Economic Development Corporation for keeping their commitment and at the same time saving money in doing so.”
