First ferries expected to arrive in NYC early 2017
New York – (RealEstateRama) — New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer today announced that a model of the new Citywide Ferry boats will be on display in the lobby of the Borough President’s office as part of a multi-borough tour. The scale model of the ferry vessel will be docked on the 19th floor of the Manhattan Municipal Building through March 10th. The model began its voyage at Queens Borough Hall and Rockaway Library earlier this year before sailing to Brooklyn Borough Hall late last month.
The model will give Manhattan residents a first glimpse of some of the exciting features that will be offered in the modern, efficient ferry boats currently under construction, such as more spacious seating and places for commuters to stow their bicycles. Other specs and features of the Citywide Ferry vessels include:
- Capacity for 150 passengers along with space for bikes, strollers and wheelchairs.
- ADA Local Law 68/2005 accessibility and compliance.
- Boats are 85 feet long, offering passengers more space than more traditional ferries.
- Ferries are primarily built out of aluminum, which is safe, lightweight and increases fuel efficiency. The fleet of 19 vessels will be built with the equivalent of over 77 million aluminum cans.
- Use of ultra-efficient engines to reduce emissions.
- Innovative hull design to limit wake and maximize fuel efficiency.
- Wi-Fi available throughout the vessel.
- Heated decks that increase each vessel’s resiliency and durability, especially during the cold, snowy winter months.
With three routes launching in summer 2017, Citywide Ferry service will connect Manhattanites with the Rockaways, Astoria, Long Island City, and five stops in South Brooklyn. The East River Ferry will also be integrated in Citywide Ferry Service, which will reduce the cost of that service to $2.75 from $4, the same cost of a subway ride.
Citywide Ferry’s Lower East Side route will connect residents with job centers in Midtown, the Financial District, and Long Island City starting in 2018. The 32 minute route will include stops in Manhattan at Wall Street/Pier 11, Grand Street, Stuyvesant Cove, and East 34th Street. The Soundview route will also launch in 2018, connecting the Manhattan’s Upper East Side to the Bronx and other connecting ferry routes at Wall Street/Pier 11.
“Citywide Ferry Service will bring a new, affordable transit option to our city, and will transform the way New Yorkers commute and connect,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “Over the next few weeks, Manhattan residents will be able to see a preview of the innovative vessels, which they’ll be able to start riding as early as this summer.”
“Every real New Yorker knows two things: we need more affordable housing and we need more transit options. Anytime we can deliver real progress on either, it’s a huge victory, and this model is an exciting sign that one of these victories is coming soon,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I’m pleased visitors to the Municipal Building will be able to stop by my office and see the future.”
With nineteen vessels operating at 21 landings across New York City, Citywide Ferry will carry an estimated 4.6 million trips per year across six routes – providing a new and easily accessible transit option to traditionally underserved communities and areas where job opportunities and housing are growing rapidly. For more information and images on Citywide Ferry, please visit www.citywideferry.nyc.
More Details on Citywide Ferry Service
New Jobs:
- At least 155 new jobs in New York Harbor.
- Crew will earn a living wage, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
- Hornblower will participate in the City’s HireNYC program, which matches qualified applicants from neighborhood-based WorkForce1 training centers.
Routes:
- Rockaway, South Brooklyn and Astoria routes are scheduled to launch in 2017.
- Rockaway route will connect to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Wall Street.
- Astoria route will connect to Astoria, Roosevelt Island (Cornell Tech), Long Island City, East 34th Street and Wall Street.
- South Brooklyn route will connect Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 and Pier 6, and Wall Street, with an optional link to Governors Island (launch date TBD).
- Soundview and Lower East Side routes to launch in 2018.
- Routes from Coney Island and Stapleton on Staten Island are in the planning stages for future expansion.
- Combined routes will cover over 60 miles of waterway.
- Over half a million New Yorkers live within a half-mile of one of the 21 Citywide Ferry landings, including over 15,000 families living in NYCHA developments.
Commuting Times:
- Rockaway to Wall Street (1 stop): Approximately 1 hour
- Astoria to E 34th Street (2 stops): Approximately 22 minutes
- Astoria to Wall Street (3 stops): Approximately 38 minutes
- Soundview to Wall Street (2 stops): Approximately 43 minutes
- Bay Ridge to Wall Street (4 stops): Approximately 48 minutes
Pricing:
- Cost per ride will equal that of a single subway ride.
- Over 4,000 daily East River Ferry customers will see fares reduced from $4 to the cost of a single subway ride.
- Fare will allow for free transfers to any other ferry route within the system, including the East River Ferry.
- Both paper and smartphone ticketing will be available, with payments accepted via cash, credit, or debit card. Discounts will be available for seniors, children and New Yorkers with disabilities.
- Passengers will be allowed to bring bicycles on board for a $1 fee.
The Boats:
- Each boat will be able to carry 150 passengers.
- All boats will be equipped with WiFi.
- Boats will be fully accessible to New Yorkers with disabilities, and will comply with the requirements of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York City Local Law 68 of 2005.
- New boats will be equipped with the most modern engine design available to reduce emissions and noise, as well as an efficient hull design that will limit wakes and maximize fuel economy.
- The city contract with Hornblower allows the company to charter vessels if necessary to meet the implementation timeline.
City Support:
- The city is investing $55 million in infrastructure upgrades, including building 10 new ferry landings. Barge construction is currently underway at a facility on Staten Island.
- The city is providing $30 million in operating support per year, over a period of six years. Based on a projection of 4.6 million annual trips, the per-trip subsidy for Citywide Ferry Service will be $6.60, lower than the nearly $8 per trip subsidy on the Long Island Railroad or the nearly $15 per trip subsidy for express buses. The city is providing $10 million for additional startup costs, such as vessel upgrades and ticketing machines.
- Potential sponsorships would offset operating costs.
- City negotiated an option to acquire at least 18 state-of-the-art, highly efficient passenger ferry vessels, allowing for greater operational flexibility and providing significant savings to taxpayers over the life of the service (roughly up to $5 million per year).
- City will receive a portion of fare-box revenue if ridership exceeds 5.6 million passengers.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, or visit our blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.
