A NYC ferry in 2024. Photo by Susan De Vries
Forget the traffic, head to New York Harbor. New Yorkers will soon have more ways to get around the city without avoiding traffic jams and traffic problems – all by water.
NYC Ferry on Monday announced renewed ferry service between the boroughs, as well as the expansion of the East 34th Street Ferry Terminal and two new landings at East Harlem 125th Street and MADE-Bush Terminal in Sunset Park.
The NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the agency that manages the ferries, said the additional service is part of that Ferry optimization plan and it is the first time the city’s ferry system has been redesigned since its launch in 2017.
“From Throggs Neck to the Rockaways, our city’s ferries provide New Yorkers and tourists alike with a convenient, affordable way to travel across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Thanks to smart investments to make our ferry system more accessible, affordable and sustainable, we’ve already broken records this summer, and with this comprehensive redesign, we’re embarking on the next major part of NYC Ferry’s journey to bring this dynamic service to even more New Yorkers.”
A one-way ticket for a NYC Ferry ride costs $4.50, which will be $1.50 more than the new $3 in January The metro and bus fares come into effect that month.
Although the system charges a fee, so does NYC Ferry subsidized by municipal taxes. However, NYCEDC officials said Monday that it achieved the “lowest NYC Ferry subsidy per passenger ever” this year at $8.33, which is at least 35 percent less than the peak subsidy in 2020.
What are the new services?
The following services will be implemented by the end of 2025:
- The East River is split into two routes at most times of the day. A local route serves all stops on the East River during the afternoon on weekdays and winter weekends to maintain connectivity.
- Combining the Soundview and Rockaway routes will bring Rockaway route riders to Midtown and East 90th Street with a one-seat ride and boats heading toward the Bronx during morning traffic.
- Connects the St. George Route on Staten Island’s North Shore to Brooklyn and the rest of the system. There will be a new access from Brooklyn to the west side of Manhattan.
- A one-seat ride to Midtown for the South Brooklyn route.
“By connecting Staten Island to Brooklyn and Pier 11, we are unlocking new opportunities for commuters, supporting our local economy and affirming Staten Island’s role in the future of New York City,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks, who represents the borough’s North Shore. “I commend NYCEDC for their vision and commitment to meeting this critical need.”
Service South Brooklyn in 2026
NYCEDC said it will also launch a pilot service in South Brooklyn on weekends in the summer of 206. It will extend the new South Brooklyn route to Bay Ridge and Sunset Park. Although designed as a test run, city agencies will analyze and evaluate the service next fall.
The changes to the system follow a July 2025 proposal that welcomed feedback from commuters. Agencies received approximately 15,000 responses, the majority of which supported the changes announced Monday.
The redesign will shorten travel times, offer more destinations, improve onboard capacity and increase travel frequency, NYCEDC officials said. They added that the agency will create a “vision for the future of ferries” at the port to potentially expand services even further.
“As we begin this next chapter, the development of a new vision for the future of New York Harbor ferries and the beginning of work on new landings in East Harlem and the MADE-Bush Terminal in Sunset Park reaffirms our commitment to expanding ferry service, exploring new ship technologies and supporting vital employment centers and neighborhoods in the Port for generations to come,” said Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of NYCEDC.
EDC and NYC Ferry first proposed the changes to the system this summer, welcoming feedback from commuters, and adjusted the plan based on 15,000 comments from the public.
Despite the historic overhaul of the system, one major district has been overlooked, at least for the moment.
Canarsie residents have long asked for ferry service to connect them to Manhattan, especially since the city is in a “transportation desert” with limited options for reaching the rest of the city.
Canarsie residents primarily travel by car or the L train to get around the city.
While there are no immediate plans to introduce ferries to Canarsie, NYCEDC lists the neighborhood as one of the focuses for possible future expansion in its area. Ferries Report 2025. Coney Island could also be on the list, as EDC placed on the list earlier this fall research buoy at Steeplechase Pier to gather data on a possible ferry landing at the People’s Playground.
“Canarsie residents deserve serious analysis, real investment in infrastructure and a transparent plan for what ferry access could look like,” said City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, who represents the area. “While I am of course disappointed that we were not included in this phase, I am encouraged that Canarsie will be explored in the city’s upcoming Vision for the Future of Ferries. I will continue to urge federal and city partners to ensure our community finally gets the attention it deserves.”
Many of the new features will take effect as early as December 8. More information about NYC Ferry, including routes and ticket prices, is available at ferry.nyc.
Editor’s note: A version of this story originally appeared in amNY. Click here to see the original story.
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