NYC Ferry Proposes Service Shakeup

By Katie McFadden

NYC Ferry is considering shaking up the current service on the citywide ferry system. That means some changes are being considered for the Rockaway route, and they’re seeking public input on the proposed changes.

“For the first time since our launch eight years ago, we are conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the entire NYC Ferry network and are proposing major route changes,” NYC Ferry said. “The proposal holistically addresses known system issues and improves rider experience within our budget constraints, aiming to: Give riders more places to go, speed up commutes, make more seats available, operate more efficiently and reduce subsidy per rider.”

One of the proposals is to combine the current Rockaway service and the current Soundview service into one route. The routes would be combined to “get Rockaway route riders to Midtown and E 90th St. and fill previously empty boats going toward The Bronx.” However, this would mean instead of starting at Pier 11/Wall Street, the Rockaway Route would start at Ferry Point Park/ Throgs Neck in the Bronx, stop at Soundview, East 90th Street, East 34th Street and Stuyvesant Cove before getting to Pier 11/ Wall Street and continuing on to Sunset Park/BAT and Rockaway and vice versa.

In addition to combining the route, there would be service frequency changes and the ferry will arrive every 43 minutes during the peak a.m. hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., during weekdays while the rest of the schedule would continue to run every 64 minutes. Additionally, the additional beach service will continue to operate from Wall Street/Pier 11 and Sunset Park/BAT on summer weekends and holidays. These rides currently run every 30 minutes. With the proposed schedule, they would run every 26 minutes.

NYC Ferry hopes to roll out the new routes in late 2025/ early 2026. In response to these proposed changes, NYC Ferry is seeking feedback. They have an online survey to collect feedback at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nycferrychanges. The form closes on Labor Day, September 1. There is also a virtual public meeting on the changes on Monday, July 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. For the Zoom link to the meeting and for the rundown of all proposed route changes, head to https://edc.nyc/ferrychanges.