Rockaway residents still without subway service into Manhattan will now be able to make it off the peninsula and onto the island via a temporary ferry service set to begin Monday.
The ferry, announced today by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Seastreak, will depart from Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive and stop at Pier 11 with free transfers between Pier 11 and East 34th Street.
“The prayers of so many people in Rockaway, who since the storm hit have been left stranded on the peninsula, have finally been answered,” said Councilmember Eric Ulrich. “Under this plan, fast reliable ferry transportation will be restored to the Rockaways.”
Fares for the ferry will be $2. The first ferry will leave at 5:45 a.m. in the Rockaways with with four additional departures leaving until 9:20 a.m. Regular service will resume during the evening rush.
“Since the storm hit, we’ve been working to ensure that New York City is able to get back to business as soon as possible,” said NYCEDC President Seth Pinsky. “Until the reopening of subway service to the rest of the City is restored from the Rockaways, this temporary option will assist thousands of New Yorkers most impacted by this storm, allowing our City and our economy to take another step on the road to recovery.”
The EDC installed a temporary landing in the Rockaways for the ferry. The trip to Manhattan will take about 50 minutes.
“I am very glad to see that the Far Rockaway ferry service is about to be restored and that some degree of normality is about to return to the lives of Rockaway residents,” said Councilmember James Sanders. “Come Monday, Rockaway residents who work in Manhattan will be able to reliably get to work again, and those who wish to get off the peninsula for the time being will have another route out.
