Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971
The Mayor was joined by Arthur Imperatore Jr., President, New York Waterway; David Sussman, Executive Vice President, New York Yankees; Fran Reiter, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Planning; Richard Schwartz, Senior Advisor to the Mayor; and, Seth Kaye, Director of the Mayor's Office of Transportation.
"Today I am pleased to join with leaders from the public and private sectors in announcing a new privately-operated passenger ferry service on the East River linking Yankee Stadium with Manhattan," said Mayor Giuliani. "This new service will bring passengers from Manhattan to a landing site that's just a five-minute walk from the Yankee Stadium gate."
"These high-speed ferries will provide a comfortable, relaxing trip to the ball park -- and back again -- on a boat that holds almost 400 people," said the Mayor. "And this new service, which will pass by the United Nations and other sights, will be an attraction in its own right."
The Mayor concluded, "Of course, this year, as a Yankee fan, I'm hoping for October ferry service to the Stadium. Hopefully, very late into October. "
In fact, New York's Number One Yankee fan said he plans to ride the first Yankee Stadium ferry on July 27 to the Old Timers' Day game.
New York Waterway President Arthur E. Imperatore, Jr. said he would commit a 400-passenger boat to the service, with stops at the South Street Seaport's Pier 17, East 34th Street and East 90th Street, before arriving at Yankee Stadium. Service, at $10 round trip, will be available starting July 27 and 28 and then for all remaining weeknight games this season.
New York Yankees Executive Vice President David Sussman said, "The New York Yankees are delighted to participate with the Mayor's Office and New York Waterway in offering this unique travel alternative to Yankee Stadium. We are always searching for ways to enhance our fan's experience and improve upon the existing ways of getting to Yankee games." He said the Yankees would work with New York Waterway to encourage fans to use the new service, with special promotions and ticket availability for ferry users.
The New York City Department of Transportation recently developed a ferry landing on the Harlem River at Yankee Stadium, and with the Parks Department, rehabilitated the pier at 90th Street and the East River. At Yankee Stadium, a short walkway will take ferry commuters to the pedestrian overpass over the MetroNorth tracks and then into the Stadium. The Mayor thanked Governor Pataki and New York State officials, in particular Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano, for facilitating the necessary approvals for the Yankee Stadium landing site.
Under an agreement with the City, New York Waterway has paid for a landing slot license right to pick up and discharge passengers at the new facilities at Yankee Stadium and East 90th Street, and at the existing facilities at the South Street Seaport and East 34th Street.
Mayor Giuliani emphasized that the extensive police protection which has made the neighborhood around Yankee Stadium one of the safest in the City would be extended to the new ferry landing site. "The Yankee Stadium service is an exciting new initiative to utilize our waterways for public transportation and to provide more recreational opportunities for New Yorkers," said Fran Reiter. "This ferry service highlights the key role that New York Harbor plays in promoting the City's economic vitality and quality of life."
"Mayor Giuliani's East River fast ferry initiative is intended to promote private ferry service to Yankee Stadium and LaGuardia Airport, as well as to facilitate alternative means of commuting to Midtown and Lower Manhattan," said John S. Dyson, Chair, Mayor's Council of Economic Advisors. "The provision of additional travel options will be of great benefit to residents of the Upper East Side who live distant from the seriously overcrowded Lexington Avenue subway line."
"New York City already has the largest and fastest-growing network of privately-operated urban ferry routes in the nation," said Richard J. Schwartz, Senior Advisor to the Mayor. "Mayor Giuliani's initiative will build on that progress by encouraging further opportunities to provide ferry service around the five boroughs and among various locations in the metropolitan region."
"Thanks to Mayor Giuliani's vision and leadership, New York City is on its way to a new era in transportation, " said Seth O. Kaye, Director of the Mayor's Office of Transportation. "Private ferry services give the riding public a wider variety of travel choices. Waterborne transit is a reliable and effective means for enhancing mobility, reducing congestion, and improving air quality.
"We are committed to providing safe, efficient, environmentally friendly commuter service throughout the New York area and feel this joint effort with the City and the Yankees is a winning combination for everyone, especially the fans," said Imperatore. "I want to thank Mayor Giuliani for providing this opportunity."
New York Harbor has the largest and fastest growing system of non-subsidized privately operated ferries in North America. In 1986, there were no privately operated ferries in New York. Today three companies transport more than 24,000 passengers each weekday on eleven different routes. Privately operated ferries connect Manhattan with locations in New Jersey, and with Bay Ridge, Hunters Point, Mariners Harbor, and LaGuardia Airport in New York. New routes, separate and apart from this initiative, are under development from Staten Island, Brooklyn, Nyack and Yonkers.