Amidst Record Setting Ridership, NYCEDC Announces NYC Ferry Summer Schedule

Rockaway Reserve Tickets Return, Allow Riders Guaranteed Spots on Peak Rockaway Weekend Departures, Increased Capacity and Flexibility for Beach Goers 

Rockaway Rocket Returns with Limited Time Service from Long Island City and Greenpoint with Non-Stop Service to the Rockaways 

NYC Ferry Continues Ferry Forward Plan to Make the Ferry System More Financially Sustainable, Equitable, and Accessible for All New Yorkers 

NEW YORK, NY—Today, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and NYC Ferry announced the NYC Ferry Summer 2024 schedule changes. Amidst another year of record-breaking ridership numbers, NYC Ferry is committed to its summer schedule delivering riders with a dependable way to commute and ride throughout the five boroughs. The 2024 summer schedule features continued improvements to accommodate higher ridership throughout the summer months, the return of the highly popular Rockaway Rocket and Rockaway Reserve, and a direct shuttle to Governors Island from Pier 11. 

As the weather gets warmer, New Yorkers and tourists alike will be outside exploring New York City on NYC Ferry. In summer 2023, more than three million riders boarded NYC Ferry between Memorial Day and Labor Day. To accommodate for the influx of riders, NYC Ferry’s summer schedule will go into effect on Monday, May 20, 2024 and operate through Labor Day Weekend. 

The summer schedule changes include:

The return of Rockaway Reserve Tickets

• After a successful first summer in operation, Rockaway Reserve Tickets are back this Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, on the Rockaway Route stopping at Pier 11 in Manhattan, Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, and the Rockaways. 
• On weekends and holidays, riders can reserve a spot on select morning trips towards the Rockaways and afternoon trips back to Pier 11 and Brooklyn Army Terminal for $10 per rider. This includes priority boarding and a guaranteed spot on-board a specific departure. Tickets allow riders to reserve a spot on all weekend Rockaway trips to the beach from 9am-2pm and back from 3pm-8pm. 
• A limited portion of seats are available as Rockaway Reserve tickets. Riders can pay regular fares ($4.00 single trip, $2.75 ten-packs or $1.35 discounted) on a first-come first-serve basis for all trips on the Rockaway route between Pier 11, BAT and the Rockaways. 

The return of the Rockaway Rocket

• This year, the Rockaway Rocket is coming to Long Island City and Greenpoint to provide express, all-reserve service on limited weekends in July and August. A dedicated beach service, the Rocket will operate two morning trips to Rockaway from Long Island City and Greenpoint and two afternoon return trips back.  
• Tickets on the Rockaway Rocket will cost $10 and guarantee riders a spot on board the departure of their choice. Trips will operate on weekends starting this July, and specific dates and times will be announced in the coming weeks. 

●  Increased capacity on summer weekends.
●  On summer weekends and holidays, NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island via direct shuttle from Pier 11. All NYC Ferry Riders can make a free transfer to the Governors Island Shuttle at Wall St/ Pier 11.
●  NYC Ferry will operate a weekend schedule on the following days: Memorial Day,  July 4, and Labor Day.
●  NYC Ferry will operate a modified holiday schedule on the following days: Juneteenth, July 5. 

“From rebuilding our economy with the most jobs in city history, to record-setting ferry ridership at the start of this year, time and time again, our administration is showing that New York City is not just coming back—it is back,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “More and more New Yorkers are using the NYC Ferry system to get to work and around the city, and thanks to our NYC Ferry Forward plan, this innovative public transportation option is more affordable, accessible, and financially responsible. This summer, we’re excited to bring back popular routes to millions of ferry riders heading to some of their favorite summertime destinations. In every borough, there’s a ferry docked and waiting to take you out of the concrete jungle to an umbrella under the sun on a sandy beach—that’s another reason why I love this city.” 

“I am thrilled by the release of the NYC Ferry summer schedule and congratulate NYCEDC for their continued hard work to build a record-setting, reliable, affordable and efficient ferry system for all New Yorkers,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development & Workforce. This season I encourage all travelers—beachgoers,  commuters and tourists alike—to travel on the ferry via New York's blue highways for fun, fast and enjoyable trips to their favorite destination.” 

“This summer, there is no better way to explore New York City than on our waterways, aboard a NYC Ferry,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “With the return of the highly popular Rockaway Rocket and Rockaway Reserve we are excited to continue to build on our NYC Ferry Forward vision to create a more accessible, equitable and fiscally sustainable ferry system for all New Yorkers to enjoy.” 

“Whether commuting to work, visiting your favorite neighborhoods, or simply looking for a day on the water, NYC Ferry offers a reliable, convenient, and fast public transit option across the five boroughs,” said Timothy O’Brien, SVP of Ferries & Transportation at Hornblower. “We look forward to building on NYC Ferry’s record ridership and welcoming millions onboard with the launch of an expanded summer schedule and return of the Rockaway Rocket and Rockaway Reserve.” 

The summer schedule is designed to address service capacity issues during NYC Ferry's peak season, and regularly scheduled NYC Ferry trips operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders are advised that in the summer, ridership is highest on weekends between 11 AM and 7 PM. During good-weather days, riders may not get on the first boat of their choice. Onboard concessions will be available at the Snack Bar. 

Riders can avoid long ticket machine lines by using the NYC Ferry app to purchase tickets and view real-time schedules (download in the App Store or Google Play). Tickets can also be purchased at ticket vending machines at NYC Ferry landings. Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding and are not available on board. All transfers within the NYC Ferry system are free and valid for 120 minutes once your ticket is activated. Round-trip journeys do not qualify for free transfers. 

The summer schedule continues to support the “NYC Ferry Forward” plan, an initiative launched in July 2022 to create a more equitable, accessible, and fiscally sustainable NYC Ferry system. The program has continued to build on the system’s early success to expand the Ferry Discount Program for seniors, people with disabilities, and participants in the Fair Fares NYC program.   

As a result of NYC Ferry Forward, NYC Ferry has: 

• Decreased the per passenger subsidy to $8.55 as of FY23;
• Recorded historic record ridership numbers with 6.6 million riders boarding the NYC Ferry in FY23;
• Introduced expanded Fair Fares to make the NYC Ferry more accessible to New Yorkers;
• And after a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Hornblower was announced as the long-term operator of NYC Ferry in August 2023.

The Ferry Discount Program makes $1.35 tickets available for people with disabilities, seniors, and participants in the Fair Fares NYC program. Sign up today at ferry.nyc/discount. 

More information, real-time schedules, service alerts, and trip planning are available in the NYC Ferry app or at ferry.nyc.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity, build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.