NEW YORK (PIX11) — Good news for anyone who takes the NYC Ferry. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced an optimized system map with new routes that will begin operations very soon.
NYC Ferry shared route proposals in July of this year as part of the Ferry Optimization Plan and heard from over 15,000 riders. Now, the changes come on Dec. 8.
As part of the new map, the St. George route will be connected to Brooklyn and the rest of the system so Staten Island riders can transfer to any other route. This also connects Brooklyn to Manhattan’s west side.
“From here specifically, St. George to Brooklyn, you have to take the ferry and then the train which is going to be an extra transfer,” said commuter Robear Harris, who was happy to hear the news.
Other updates on the map include:
The East River will be split and operate as two routes at most times of day, ensuring more seats are available to riders and making trips faster during high ridership times. A local route will serve all stops on the East River during midday on weekdays and on winter weekends to preserve connectivity.
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
The Soundview and Rockaway routes are being combined so riders from Rockaway and Sunset Park can get to Midtown and East 90th Street without a transfer. This combined route will run as frequently as today’s Soundview service, approximately every 45 minutes.
Rockaway shuttle bus service will operate during AM and PM peak times on weekdays to serve all weekday peak departures, and on summer weekends. It will not operate at other times.
The South Brooklyn route will offer Red Hook and Atlantic Ave residents direct access to Midtown and increased frequency during peak hours. In addition, the South Brooklyn route will connect Sunset Park and Bay Ridge to Red Hook and other landings during summer weekends.
“It sounds good on paper, but we just have to wait and see how it actually is,” said Harris.
“I’d love to see some improvements. I think it’s a great thing to be able to take the boat back and forth,” said rider Mara Hennessey.
NYCEDC also identified two new ferry landings where it will begin design and engagement with community stakeholders: one in East Harlem at 125 St along the new Manhattan Greenway and one at the MADE campus at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park.
Looking beyond the horizon, NYCEDC plans to create a “Vision for the Future of Ferries in New York Harbor” to explore opportunities for expanded ferry service for waterfront neighborhoods and regions.
For more information about these plans, click here.
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