NYCEDC Announces Launch of Faster Ferry Connections along the South Brooklyn Route
South Brooklyn Route Now Operating with Faster Ferry Connections on Weekday Mornings to Reduce Travel Times to Manhattan
NYC Ferry Finding Solutions to Make Morning Commutes Easier and Quicker for New Yorkers with No New Costs
BROOKLYN, NY—Today, Mayor Eric Adams, NYCEDC President Andrew Kimball, and Councilmember Justin Brannan officially launched a pilot program for faster ferry connections along the South Brooklyn route. With this change in service, riders will have faster morning commutes to Lower Manhattan by making fewer stops on their way to Wall Street/Pier 11, reducing travel times by 20 minutes for some riders.
This pilot on the South Brooklyn route builds off the NYC Ferry’s Ferry Forward plan, announced last summer, to make for a more equitable, accessible, and financially sustainable ferry system. NYCEDC has developed new strategies for improving the system, building on successes, and incorporating lessons learned during five years in operation plan, NYC Ferry has created the Ferry Discount Program, released a pilot route – all of which aim to support the goals of a more accessible and more financially sustainable system for New Yorkers.
“This express ferry route is a huge win for residents of South Brooklyn, who have been isolated in a transit desert for too long,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Equity, accessibility, and fiscal sustainability are at the heart of our administration’s vision for the NYC Ferry system, and today we are taking a major step forward on all three fronts. To our neighbors in Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Red Hook, and across South Brooklyn who will benefit from much shorter commutes, I look forward to seeing you on the water soon.”
“South Brooklyn has long been underserved by mass transit, but today’s announcement changes that for thousands of residents in our waterfront communities," said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. "With ferry ridership numbers already above pre-pandemic levels, I am excited to see the Mayor’s innovative Ferry Forward plan working to lower costs, increase ridership, and reduce commute times for New Yorkers. I look forward to continuing to work together on the success of our NYC Ferry system."
“Faster ferry connections in South Brooklyn will not only reduce morning commute times for riders but continues our Ferry Forward plan of bringing innovative and cost-effective solutions to NYC Ferry,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “We are thrilled to stand alongside Mayor Adams, Councilmember Brannan, and our other partners in the City Council, to ensuring NYC Ferry operates more efficiently and continues to connect millions of New Yorkers to jobs, schools, recreation, and our waterfront communities.”
“For the good of our climate and our health, our City must continue to empower New Yorkers to make better transportation choices like taking the ferry – and this new, faster connection will do just that for our South Brooklyn communities,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thank you to Mayor Adams, NYCEDC President Kimball, and Councilmember Brannan for championing through this speedier ferry option for our borough.”
“An express ferry has always been the dream. For people who work in Manhattan, being able to get from Bay Ridge to Wall Street in under 20 minutes is an absolute game changer,” said Councilmember Justin Brannan. “There is simply no other way to get to Manhattan that fast. I want to thank EDC for dealing with me for all the years I drove them crazy about making this happen. Today is a great day for Bay Ridge."
"For the Southern Brooklynites who have for too long had their transit options narrowed to one subway line and just a few bus lines, this new ferry service will be an absolute game-changer," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "I applaud NYC Ferry's steadfast commitment to ensuring southern Brooklynites can get where they need to go as quickly as possible, and I look forward to the positive impact this new service will have on our community."
"I am excited to see the NYCEDC and NYC Ferry prioritize our workers. Commuters who take the ferry rely heavily on the service to make direct connections for them that could often take double and sometimes triple the time on our trains and buses, “said Councilmember Amanda Farias. “By expanding on the Ferry Forward plan with this pilot we are focusing on getting our outer borough communities from South Brooklyn to Soundview back to work safely and as efficiently as possible."
"As the founding operator of NYC Ferry, Hornblower continues to remain committed to building on NYC Ferry’s sustained growth to set new ridership records as millions of everyday New Yorkers embrace our waterways,” said Kevin Rabbitt, CEO, Hornblower Group. “We are proud to implement commuter-focused programs, like the Faster Connections Pilot under the leadership and vision of Mayor Adams, in supporting the development of these initiatives that serve working class New Yorkers.”
NYCEDC heard from riders and community members that changes like these will help make NYC Ferry a system that will better serve all New Yorkers. This summer, NYCEDC will perform additional rider engagement and perform an evaluation of this program to determine whether additional changes or improvements can be made.
Detailed timetables for the South Brooklyn faster connections route, along with a map of all NYC Ferry routes, can be viewed at ferry.nyc.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that creates shared prosperity across New York City by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. We work with and for communities to bring emerging industries to New York City; develop spaces and facilities for businesses; empower New Yorkers through training and skill-building; and invest in sustainable and innovative projects that make the city a great place to live and work. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
