By Bill Parry
City officials announced last week the expansion of its plans for the Rockaway Shuttle, a free bus service that will connect thousands more residents with the Citywide Ferry Service launching in summer 2017.The two shuttle routes span four miles each, connecting the ferry terminal at Beach 108th Street with Beach 35th Street to the east, and Beach 169th Street to the west.
The routes were developed based on a yearlong community engagement effort, which included community board meetings, town halls led by elected officials and civic organization events. The shuttle stops, which are currently under final review by the city Department of Transportation, are in close proximity to densely populated areas and NYCHA developments, delivering on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s commitment to create an equitable and accessible ferry service, with a cost per ride that will equal that of a single subway ride.
“We were proud to partner with the community and local leaders to develop a shuttle service that will help even more Rockaway residents gain access to the ferry, and connect to good jobs and opportunities throughout the five boroughs,” city Economic Development Corporation President Maria Torres-Springer said.
The city’s original plan was criticized because shuttle buses would have only gone as far as 65th Street, leaving out large segments of the population on the peninsula. City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) said the expanded route east will create access to more residents living in affordable housing.
“The announcement about ferry service returning to the Rockaways in 2017 was exciting news for the transit-starved peninsula, but the original shuttle proposal ending at Beach 65th Street prevented many east end residents from seeing it as a viable option,” Richardson said. “Thankfully, the extension will allow residents as far east as Beach 35th Street to utilize the ferry service, which will help alleviate the crowded A train and improve transportation access for the majority of peninsula residents.”
The shuttle is expected to take 25 minutes to travel from the ferry landing to either the eastbound or westbound terminus. Both routes includes six total stops, which connect to an existing bus stop. This maximizes the area the shuttle can serve while ensuring that each shuttle can reliably meet hourly ferry arrivals and departures.
“The addition of the free Rockaway Shuttle is a step in the right direction, particularly for a community lacking in viable options,” state Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) said. “We must continue to find ways in which Rockaway residents can access economic opportunities and reap the benefits of these new changes.”
Borough President Melinda Katz credited the members of Community Board 14 and Rockaway Peninsula civic leaders for committing time and insights to the plan.
“The new ferry will make the arduous commute to Manhattan much more convenient to our residents and it will spur economic development on the peninsula,” CB 14 District Manager Jonathan Gaska said. “We also expect it to bring significant tourist spending during the summer beach season, which our struggling merchants depend on.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
