Unfair Ferry Schedule

Dear Editor:

Let me start this by saying that the crews that cover NYC Ferry are generally fantastic!

With that being said, was any input sought from the Rockaway community before NYC Ferry changed the weekday summer schedule? Our current route is reduced by one boat travelling from Wall Street to Rockaway, increases wait times by five minutes for each p.m. boat, changes the last boat’s arrival time from 8:18 p.m. to 7:54 p.m., and adds a Wall Street bound boat that is 45 minutes later than last year’s summer schedule.

I understand that people from other parts of the city travelling here is great for Rockaway, but I also believe that we in Rockaway are part of the city. In addition, the new schedule’s arrival/departure times no longer coordinate well with other ferry schedules. Just one example, last year the 6:15 p.m. ferry from Wall Street left 13 minutes after the 6:02 p.m. East River Ferry arrived, allowing plenty of time for a transfer. This year, those who now must take the 6:49 p.m. Ferry to Rockway must also catch the East River Ferry that arrives at Wall Street by 6:31 p.m. because the next East River Ferry arrives at 6:53 p.m., just two minutes after the Rockaway Ferry leaves.

All of the above ultimately changes the Rockaway arrival time of residents on the 6:15 p.m. ferry from last year’s 7:09 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at best, or 8:50 p.m. at worst. Or we get back on the A Train or spend $106.00 plus tip on an Uber.

Without Rockaway community’s influence over many years, especially after Sandy, the people we elected would still be counting the beans over whether there should be ferry service at all. Rockaway started this whole system.

Seems that Rockaway citizens are once again ignored.

Peter Taras