STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Starting Monday, Dec. 8, major changes are coming to the NYC Ferry system, including a direct connection between Staten Island and Brooklyn.

The boats will now travel between the existing fast ferry stops in St. George and the American Veterans Memorial Pier at 69th Street in Bay Ridge.

This comes as the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which oversees the NYC Ferry, has revamped the system’s existing routes, implementing a long-awaited connection between Staten Island and Brooklyn.

The EDC said it believes the route changes will shorten commute times while also growing ridership and reducing the system’s per-rider subsidy.

However, tickets for the fast ferries will remain at $4.50 for a one-way trip. Riders can also purchase a 10-trip pass for $29 or an unlimited two-day ticket for $15.

Discounted tickets are available for $1.45 for New York City high school students, seniors, people with disabilities and Fair Fares participants.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on the NYC Ferry app, or at vending machines located at NYC Ferry stops.

More information about tickets and discount programs can be found on the NYC Ferry website.

When the new schedule takes effect, there will be two legs on the St. George route. One will be the familiar connection to western Manhattan, with stops at Battery Park City and Midtown West at Pier 79.

The second leg will proceed from the Island’s North Shore to Bay Ridge, before continuing to the Atlantic Avenue stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The final stop on this leg of the route will be in lower Manhattan Wall Street at Pier 11.

According to a schedule posted on the NYC Ferry site, boats on the St. George route will run approximately every 37 minutes during peak hours.

Trips will also be scheduled around 50 minutes apart during non-peak hours.

Currently, the St. George line runs every 28 minutes during peak hours and every 41 minutes during off-peak hours.

While there will be more time between trips, the new schedule shows it will only take around 11 minutes to get from Staten Island to Brooklyn.