Contact: Colleen Roche or Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958
The Ferry service will operate for a minimum of six weeks and is a demonstration project to show the feasibility and advantages of East River commuter service. Ferry service is free for the first week. Ferries will transport commuters to and from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport with stops at East 34th and East 90th Streets, east of FDR Drive.
"For me, this new ferry service is a dream come true," said Mayor Giuliani. "As a commuter to lower Manhattan, I've always believed that the East River could be used as a viable alternative to the heavily congested FDR. Today, this has become a reality."
"New York Harbor has the largest and fastest-growing system of non-subsidized privately operated ferries in North America transporting people from Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport, New Jersey and even Yankee Stadium. I would like to thank 'NY Waterway,' the Department of Transportation, the Mayor's Office of Transportation and the Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination for giving New Yorkers an exciting way to get around town," he concluded.
"NY Waterway is excited about the vast potential of East Side commuter ferry service and is looking forward to working with Mayor Giuliani to make this service a complete success," said Arthur Imperatore. "As has been demonstrated by the overwhelming response to Yankee Stadium service, New Yorkers are ready for alternative modes of transportation." (Yankee Stadium service also stops at Pier 17, East 34th Street and East 90th Street.)
"Ferry service is the quickest, most relaxing and convenient way to travel in Manhattan," said Mr. Imperatore, Jr. "We applaud Mayor Giuliani for his efforts to utilize New York's most precious natural resource, its waterways, to its fullest extent."
The demonstration phase of East River commuter service will run at least until Friday, November 1, and will continue if customer interest warrants. The cost for a one way fare is $5.00, which is comparable to a shared taxi or express bus service to lower Manhattan.
NY Waterway, the largest privately-owned commuter ferry operator in the U.S., presently carries six million passengers per year on seven routes from New Jersey and Queens to Manhattan, reducing auto traffic and pollution in the Metropolitan area. The company presently is developing several additional routes.
By providing commuters with an attractive, comfortable, reliable and safe way to get to work, NY Waterway has been serving its passengers, and the environment, since 1986. Ferries from New Jersey and Queens to Manhattan, keep more than 2,500 cars per day out of the city, reducing congestion and fumes from auto exhaust.
Hassle free commuting is enhanced by NY Waterway's seamless connecting free shuttle bus routes. Free shuttle buses meet incoming ferries and run along 57th, 50th, 42nd, 34th Streets, and a Midtown Loop in Manhattan. In Queens there is a free shuttle that connects the Hunter's Point Station of the LIRR with Queens ferry terminal; on the Manhattan side a East 34th Street there is a free 34th Street shuttle. In New Jersey there are routes from the Palisades area to the Weehawken terminal. In 1995, NY Waterway and the Alliance for Downtown NY instituted a free Downtown Bus Loop to provide service to ferry commuters, downtown residents and tourists.