City wants East River Ferry to last until at least 2019
East River Ferry. (Getty Images) Credit: East River Ferry. (Getty Images)
The East River Ferry might be here to stay.
The city wants to extend the popular service until at least 2019 and is seeking an operator to helm it, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday.
Some 1.6 million passengers have taken the ferry, surpassing the 1.3 million that were expected for the entire pilot program, which launched in 2011 and is contracted through June 2014.
"Ferry service along the East River continues to be incredibly popular, both for commuters and weekend travelers," Bloomberg said. "We now have the opportunity to build upon this success and sustain this essential part of our transportation vision well into the future."
The ferry offers daily service between East 34th Street and Pier 11 in Manhattan, Long Island City, Greenpoint, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, and Dumbo in Brooklyn. Fares for passengers are $4 for a one-way ticket, $12 for an unlimited all-day pass and $140 for an unlimited monthly pass.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
