STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In a significant push for improved transportation options, legislation has been introduced in the City Council aimed at re-establishing ferry service connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn.
The bill, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks and Justin Brannan, proposes a ferry route between St. George and Bay Ridge, enhancing connectivity between the two boroughs.
Hanks, who represents the North Shore of Staten Island, emphasized the importance of this legislation, noting that it would provide a more efficient transit option for commuters and families.
“This bill brings us one step closer to re-establishing that vital link — restoring a smarter, faster, and more resilient option for commuters and families who deserve better than traffic jams and endless bus transfers,” she stated.
Brannan highlighted that the initiative could transform the harbor into a true transit corridor, benefitting not only tourists but also working New Yorkers seeking viable alternatives to congested streets and lengthy bus transfers.
Historically, a ferry service once operated between Staten Island and Brooklyn, ceasing operations soon after the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964.
The recently introduced legislation has been forwarded to the Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for further consideration.
Importantly, the bill grants the city the authority to designate any agency or contracted entity to run the ferry line, while also ensuring that the new route is integrated into the existing NYC Ferry system, managed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
An EDC spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for the growing popularity of the NYC Ferry service, stating, “As we look forward to record ridership during the summer season and beyond, we remain committed to finding additional ways to improve accessibility and ensure NYC Ferry is a viable and affordable transit option for the most New Yorkers possible.”
Hanks and Brannan have been vocal advocates for the reinstatement of ferry service, having previously urged Mayor Eric Adams to initiate service between St. George and Bay Ridge last December.
Their joint letter highlighted the potential of a fast ferry connection to enhance access to the MTA’s Interborough Express, a light rail project linking Brooklyn and Queens at the planned Bay Ridge terminal.
By establishing this ferry route, Hanks and Brannan believe the city can forge a connection among the three outer boroughs without necessitating detours through transit hubs in Manhattan.
Despite earlier indications from the EDC that there were no plans to expand the ferry system, the success of the existing St. George to Midtown route—reporting a remarkable 151% increase in ridership last year—may influence future decisions on expanding service.
Nonetheless, Staten Island currently experiences the least amount of fast ferry service among the boroughs, coupled with some of the longest commute times, with many journeys exceeding 90 minutes.
The introduction of this legislation marks a crucial step forward in efforts to enhance transportation options and reduce commute times for Staten Islanders and Brooklynites alike.
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