SI lawmakers want more ferry service at night

Staten Island's City Council delegation doesn't want ferry riders to wait an hour to get on a boat any longer.

The three Staten Islanders on the Council said legislation will be introduced on Wednesday to ensure that there is ferry service every half-hour, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

That means no more long waits for riders who have the misfortune of barely missing the boat.

"For Staten Island Ferry riders, one second can turn into one hour," said Councilwoman Debi Rose, a Democrat who represents the borough's north shore. Ferry service every half-hour has been a dream for Staten Island lawmakers and ferry riders.

Councilman James Oddo, a Republican from the mid-island, said the time is right to readdress the issue because of the mayoral election.

"We want to make the words 'Staten Island Ferry' part of the lexicon of this mayor's race," Oddo said.

Currently, hourlong waits for the ferry last from 1:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays (1 a.m. to 5 a.m. when heading to Manhattan). The schedule changes during the weekend.

The Department of Transportation declined to comment on the proposed bill.