Greenport-Sag Harbor ferry in the works

Greenport’s village board has authorized Mayor David Nyce to send a letter to the Suffolk Legislature saying the village agrees to allow a pilot program this summer for a ferry that would provide round-trip service to Sag Harbor.

The board’s approval Thursday night follows a similar approval given the ferry service by Sag Harbor’s village board earlier last week.

A number of details still need to be worked out before the 100-day trial service can begin, including a formal environmental review of the ferry’s impact. Plus, the Suffolk Legislature must approve the water taxi’s fares and schedules.

Plans for the 53-passenger ferry call for seven round trips a day Mondays to Thursdays, and nine round trips Fridays to Sundays. Jim Ryan, one of the partners in the new service, said tickets would be $11 one-way and $20 round-trip.

The Hampton Jitney bus company, which would partner with Ryan’s firm, Response Marine, to run the service, plans to shuttle customers from school parking lots in Sag Harbor and Greenport to reduce the impact on parking in the business districts of both villages.

Ryan said current plans are for the service to begin in late June.