Rockaway Ferry Gets A Summer Extension
Image: amNY
Before you say, “Hey, Rockaway Beach isn’t even in Brooklyn,” let us make it clear that this news will, in fact, affect Brooklynites now that the Rockaway Ferry makes a stop at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
With that in mind, we’re happy to have come across the news that the Rockaway Ferry, originally designed to shuttle commuters back-and-forth post-Sandy, will run through October–City Council approval of the new De Blasio budget pending.
According to amNY, the Economic Development Corporation announced yesterday that the mayor’s new budget has put aside $2 million dollars to continue ferry operations through mid-fall with hopes that a private company will take the reigns down the road.
The ferry has been a lifesaver for many a Rockaway resident, covering the tracks of the A train and dropping commuters off at the BAT, Wall Street and 34th Street. When rumors began circulating earlier this year that the ferry might get shutdown, locals created an online petition protesting the closure. It received roughly 2000 signatures.
Still, the mayor was listening (which is something a lot of city officials seem to be doing lately) and now, residents can rest assured that they’ll still have a surefire way to get to the city.
Roundtrip ferry rides will still cost a tourism-friendly $4 (or $3.50 for one-way trips). There’s no telling if that price will stick if and when a private company takes over operations, but that’s a question for another time.
Until then, we’re just thankful to have this great service for a few more months.
Follow Nikita Richardson on Twitter @nikitarbk
