East River Ferry Service Offically On And Free! (For A Few Weeks, Anyway)

Our artistic rendering of what the ferry will look like

A few months ago, we started hearing rumblings of a plan to introduce an East River Ferry service connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Governors Island; and starting in just a few short days, that dream will officially become reality.

The East River Ferry will run year-round up and down the scenic Brooklyn coastline, with stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Wall St./ Pier 11, north and south Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Long Island City, and 34th St, plus seasonal weekend stops at Governors Island and Atlantic Avenue. Brooklyn borough President Marty Markowitz says he is "ferry excited" for the deal.

The best part? All rides are free through June 24, at which point a subsidized pricing system ranging from $4-5.50 per ride sets in, with options for unlimited daily or monthly passes. The ferries will run every 20-30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m .on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends, and NY Waterways is developing an app allowing customers to buy tickets and check schedules and service alerts. Well, shiver us timbers, looks like it's going to be a sailing summer, after all!

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By Jamie Feldmar in News on June 1, 2011 7:03 PM

Comments [rss]

v4der

sounds great and all, but the real question is.. will they be offering $3 tall boys like the SI ferry??

longacre

The same city that is firing teachers, closing firehouses and proposing that we pay for our garbage pickup is using our tax dollars to pay a private company to drive empty ferries up and down the East River after numerous attempts to do so already failed.

americaonline

I live in Greenpoint, on India St, a block away from the dock. I will probably never take this thing to midtown where I work. I'd rather take the 15 minute walk(or 5 minute bike ride) to the 7 train, which typically runs pretty awesomely, and then 7 minute train ride to bryant park. 20-30 minute commute.

luke_1

Why wouldn't you? I'm considering taking it to 34th, where I have to be several times a week, and I'd be getting on at N.6. Even if it takes a few minutes longer than the L to an uptown line, I'd rather be outside on a ferry--even if it is cold. I guess we'll see how it runs.

69GeorgeWBush69

Maybe it's meant mostly just for non-commuting trips? If I took a stroll into Manhattan on the weekend I'd probably take the ferry back.

Cyclefarian

But what's the bike access plan ?

luke_1

The video on their site has a police car parked in a bike lane on Manhattan Ave. Hi-larious.

smorrebrod

Tip to DOT: If you want to make alternative public transpo work in New York, at least try to integrate it with the MetroCard. Case in point Dollar Vans in lieu of low performing bus routes vs the PATH.

Trustafarian

Sure beats the G train for intra-brooklyn traveling during the summer - but this thing is in no way a long term solution for the public transit problems in North Brooklyn. I give it a year before it is scrapped due to "low ridership"