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NYC Ferry Soundview Route Sets Sail: De Blasio Administration Launches Ferry Service Connecting the Bronx, the Upper East Side, Midtown, and Lower Manhattan

August 15, 2018

Route takes 45 minutes, cutting average commute times in half

NEW YORK— The de Blasio Administration today officially launched NYC Ferry’s Soundview Route. The new route starts in the Soundview section of the Bronx, and stops at the new East 90th Street landing, East 34th Street landing and ends at Pier 11/Wall Street. The Soundview route, which takes approximately 45 minutes from start to finish, connects residents and workers in the Bronx with multiple points on the East Side of Manhattan, shortening commutes for thousands of New Yorkers. NYC Ferry riders are also able to transfer for free to the East River, Rockaway, Astoria, and South Brooklyn routes at East 34th Street and Wall Street/Pier 11.

“We are adding another stop on our route to becoming the fairest big city in America,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The new Soundview ferry will cut commute times in half for thousands of Bronxites. Our all-of-the-above approach to transit gives New Yorkers reliable options to get where they need to go.”

“Starting today, Bronxites now have a fast, comfortable and affordable way to get to major job centers and other opportunities along the East Side of Manhattan,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James Patchett. “With over five million riders to date and one more route still to launch, it’s clear that our ferry network is a game-changer for New Yorkers.”

Since its launch in May 2017, NYC Ferry has served over 5 million riders across the Astoria, East River, South Brooklyn and Rockaway routes, and the Soundview route is expected to add approximately 400,000 additional riders annually. Boats will run every 30 minutes during peak times, and every 50 minutes during off-peak times. Residents of Soundview will be able to reach East 34th Street in just 30 minutes, cutting current commuting times by nearly half. Detailed timetables for the Soundview route, along with a map of all NYC Ferry routes, can be viewed here.

The de Blasio Administration is also set to launch the new Lower East Side route later this month on August 29th, which will run from Wall Street/Pier 11, to Corlears Hook, Stuyvesant Cove, East 34th Street, and end in Long Island City, Queens, a 36-minute trip from start to finish. The, Last month, NYC Ferry welcomed the arrival of Ocean Queen Rockstar, the first of six higher-capacity 350-passenger vessels to accommodate high ridership demand.

New York City Economic Development Corporation and the MTA New York City Transit Authority also recently announced the extension of the Bx27 bus line, which will now stop at Clason Point Park where the Soundview ferry landing is located. The Bx27, which connects customers in the Shorehaven, Clason Point and Soundview sections of the Bronx to the Morrison Av-Soundview 6 subway station, previously terminated on Soundview Avenue approximately 1,000 feet northwest of the ferry landing. The extension of select Bx27 trips to the Soundview ferry landing will provide an easy, direct connection for customers seeking to use local bus service or the subway.

The de Blasio Administration is also set to launch the new Lower East Side route later this month on August 29th, which will run from Wall Street/Pier 11, to Corlears Hook, Stuyvesant Cove, East 34th Street, and end in Long Island City, Queens, a 36-minute trip from start to finish. The, Last month, NYC Ferry welcomed the arrival of Ocean Queen Rockstar, the first of six higher-capacity 350-passenger vessels to accommodate high ridership demand.

“This long-awaited, much-anticipated ferry service has the potential to dramatically improve the commutes not only of Soundview residents, but of Bronxites in every community. The people of my borough are always looking for new mass transit options, and I congratulate Mayor de Blasio and his administration on today’s launch and for making this new service a top priority,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I’m delighted that ferry service will be reaching new neighborhoods, including the long-closed pier at 90th Street in my district,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “Ferries are a wonderful way to travel – and the new Soundview service will bring better commuting options to thousands of my constituents.  I’m pleased that the de Blasio Administration is continuing to expand ferry service throughout the city and make use of the wonderful network of waterways that serve to bring the city together.”

“The ferry service will be a great relief to many Soundview residents who have for far too long been deprived of adequate transportation infrastructure and burdened with a long commute back and forth to work,” said State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein Improved transportation opens the doors to greater employment opportunities, recharges the local economy and allows our City’s workers to spend more time with their families. As we move forward on this I look forward to ensuring a seamless transition for all homeowners in the surrounding community so that together we can ensure that the Bronx keeps moving forward.”

“The new Soundview Route will give New Yorkers who live and work on the East side a fast, affordable, and convenient way to get around the city,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “Ferries are an innovative solution to our city's transit crisis, and thanks to work of NYDEC and NY Ferry, more New Yorkers will have the opportunity to step off our crowded trains and buses and breathe in the fresh harbor air.”  

“Today is the result of the community’s long term goal to bring the innovative NYC Ferry system to Soundview,” said Assembly Member Marcos Crespo. “This exciting, cost and time effective mode of transportation will connect New Yorkers and visitors to the thriving community of Soundview in the Bronx. Thank you to all who made this historic launch possible. Especially, Mayor De Blasio and all the agencies involved”

“The launch of the latest line of NYC Ferry service offers an attractive alternative for commuting around town,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright. “NYC has already been successful in putting more commuters and day travelers on the waterfront.  Ferry service not only enriches our quality of life but also provides a much needed additional source of public transportation.  I encourage all my neighbors to journey on the East River.”

"More public transportation options are better for my district and the city as a whole,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein.  “I welcome diversity of New Yorkers to my district."

"The Upper East Side is thrilled to finally have our very own NYC Ferry stop along the Soundview route," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "NYC Ferry continues to connect New Yorkers to our waterfront while reducing the burden on our City's public transportation system while helping New Yorkers get from A to B quicker, easier and more enjoyably. This ferry stop was a promise I made to this district when I ran for office five years ago, so it is special seeing it ready to launch. Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett for making these ferries a reality."

“The new ferry stop at Stuyvesant Cove on 20th Street and the two new routes servicing the East 34th Street stop will create more transportation options for my constituents,” said Council Member Keith Powers. “Residents in Waterside Plaza, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, and Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village can seamlessly travel up and down the East River, which will be particularly valuable as the City approaches the L train shutdown. I thank the Mayor for investing in the NYC Ferry program.”

"We’re thrilled to continue to build robust neighborhood connections with the start of  the Soundview route today,” said Cameron Clark, SVP of NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower. "It's an exciting time for all New Yorkers as we continue to provide an affordable, convenient service that is truly changing the lives of millions of families and individuals as they commute across this wonderful city."

"We are thrilled to have ferry access here in the Bronx," said NYC Parks Bronx Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. "This new Soundview line will make it easy for New Yorkers to explore some of our spectacular Bronx Parks, including Clason Point Park, Soundview Park and Pugsley Creek Park."

"The addition of the Soundview route to the NYC Ferry system delivers what so many residents of Community District 6 want and need: an increase in transportation options, an improved waterfront, and better quality of life," said Molly Hollister, Chair, Manhattan Community Board Six.

Alida Camp, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8 said, “Too often we forget that New York City is an island metropolis. A citywide ferry network connects our various harbor-oriented communities and creates a more accessible City for all. Manhattan Community Board 8 is thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Soundview Ferry Route, which includes a stop at 90th Street Pier on the Upper East Side. The Soundview Route will provide hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers living in the Bronx, Upper East Side, and Lower Manhattan an alternative and potentially faster route to work, and encourages the exploration of neighborhoods that have not been as easily reachable in the past. Community Board 8 looks forward to continuing to work with New York City Economic Development Corporation as well as our other City agencies to ensure a safe, reliable, affordable and efficient transportation network.”

“Community Board 9 is elated in welcoming the Soundview Ferry to our community,” said William Rivera, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 9. “The ferry will shorten commute time from the Bronx to Manhattan for our local residents and our hope is that it will alleviate mass transit traffic in our district.” 

NYC Ferry has already employed over 325 people to fill positions such as captains, deckhands, customer service agents, ticketing, operations and more. New Yorkers of all backgrounds and skill levels are welcome to apply. Jobseekers can apply directly at ferry.nyc.

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