New York ferry fares to rise significantly in autumn
'15.07.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Mayor Eric Adams will raise fares on the city's ferry system to $12 starting September 4. But at the same time, it will provide discounts to low-income New Yorkers, reports New York Post.
Seniors, people with disabilities, and New Yorkers participating in the City's Fair Rates program will be charged as little as $1 effective September 1,35, down from $2,75.
“Who says it's only for wealthy New Yorkers, it's not,” Adams remarked during an announcement at the Astoria Ferry Wharf. “If we have those who have to pay higher fares to subsidize the rest, it’s a win-win for me.”
The $4 fare is for tourists and infrequent commuters, the mayor said. Regular passengers will also be able to purchase a 10-ticket pass for $27,50. And the city will provide two free rides to NYCHA residents to introduce them to the service.
Adams Plans to Launch Lower Manhattan-to-Rockaway Weekend Shuttle for $8 Per Ride
The ferry will operate from July 23 until Labor Day to reduce congestion on the regular Rockaway line.
“We want to reach out to those who were afraid to use the system and didn't believe it was meant for them,” Adams said. “We are going to sort out who is not using the ride.”
On the subject: Without traffic jams and inexpensively: they want to launch a ferry from Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport
City taxpayers subsidize ferry rides for up to $14,75 per trip. But former mayor Bill de Blasio insisted that the fare remain $2,75. Even though the ridership was among high-income New Yorkers and tourists.
Lander said the unprofitable ferry system is performing far worse than EDC had previously admitted.
Approximately 1 million city residents will be eligible for a $1,35 toll. The expected increase in passenger traffic, combined with higher fares, will result in a reduction in the travel subsidy.
“Our analysis shows that between $4 and $5 you start losing traffic,” Kimball said. “Everything we do is aimed at reducing this subsidy. And we think it will go down.”
In the first three months of 2022, the Daly NYC ferry had only 11 passengers on weekdays and 688 on weekends. Passenger traffic is higher in the summer, city officials say. It has only recently returned to pre-pandemic levels due to COVID-12.
