Commuters, be on the lookout— your commute may soon be getting easier.
Over the weakened, NYC Ferry proposed new routes that would connect Brooklyn to Staten Island for the first time. The new route would begin from the existing terminal in Saint George, Staten Island, making a direct trip to the one in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Additional routes have been proposed, such as adding a direct trip from South Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan.
“This map of proposed changes is based on years of rider feedback and operational analysis," said James Wong, executive director of NYC Ferry. " [It] will be a strong starting point as we continue to solicit input from our riders and prepare for this next chapter of NYC Ferry.”
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"You have to walk to the Battery Place ferry station and then wait for the ferry to Staten island," said Elena. "So, it takes maybe two hours."
She commutes from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to other parts of the city by boat nearly every day but said her commute to Staten Island is never easy.
"For years, we’ve urged the city to better utilize our waterways to ease traffic and expand transportation options for Staten Islanders and Brooklynites," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. "Now, for the first time in decades, the city is one step closer to reconnecting Staten Island and Brooklyn by ferry."
The proposed plan is not yet set in stone. According to the city's Economic Development Corportation, ferry-goers will be surveyed throughout the summer, before the boats are set to roll out this winter.