FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #13-06
Seth Solomonow/Scott Gastel, (212) 839-4850
Eight-week Emergency Ferry Service to Great Kills to Conclude Friday, Jan. 25
Temporary service started in November to make it easier for Staten Islanders to get around following Sandy devastation
The New York City Department of Transportation today announced that the eight-week emergency ferry service to Great Kills, Staten Island will conclude Friday, Jan. 25, the end of the eighth week of the temporary service. The service launched Nov. 26 using FEMA Sandy recovery funding, connecting Great Kills Park with Pier 11 at Wall Street and in Midtown at East 35th Street in Manhattan with six morning and six evening departures. While there are no plans to extend the service at this time, the City will continue to work with the borough’s elected officials to build on recent transportation improvements.
“This service was a timely response to a terrible moment on Staten Island,” said Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “While this service never really took off with commuters, we still need to pursue potential ferry services in addition to more reliable bus and train service.”
“I want to thank DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan for so quickly responding to the needs of Staten Island after Hurricane Sandy by providing South Shore commuters with another means of transportation to Manhattan,” said Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro. “It is obvious that low ridership doesn’t warrant the continuation of this service. Both Councilman Ignizio and I will be exploring options for a permanent fast ferry service in the future.”
Since November about 114 passengers a day in each direction used the service, provided by New York Water Taxi under an emergency contract, making the trip from Great Kills to Wall Street in 50 minutes and to East 35th Street in 65 minutes at the cost $2 per trip. The ferry docked at a temporary landing installed near the Great Kills Park marina, which is operated by the National Park Service, and at existing landings in Manhattan.
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