NYC's Huge New Ferry Network: Route Maps, Schedules, Fares, Opening Dates And More

NEW YORK, NY — It's really happening! The waterways that weave through NYC's five boroughs are about to be transformed into a nautical subway system of sorts, thanks to a new fleet of 20 ferry boats that will criss-cross the East River and Brooklyn's upper and lower bays along six new lines. And yes, the rumors are true: There will be booze served on board.

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The first of the new ferry lines will begin running May 1. The final line is scheduled to open by summer 2018.

In celebration, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio took his triumphant inaugural ride aboard one of the new ferries Monday morning, following a weird ceremony at the Brooklyn Bridge Park docks in which Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, the boat's designated “godmother,” officially "christened" the vessel and oversaw a reading of "Sailor’s Paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm" by the FDNY's official chaplain — all while a small boat from the FDNY marine unit fired off some water cannons nearby.

The city had previously allowed a group of second-graders in Bay Ridge to name the ferry boat; accordingly, the word "Lunchbox" could be seen emblazoned along its starboard bow.

Come May 1, you, too, could become a member of the city's quirky new nautical cult. "The docks are ready. The boats are ready. The riders are ready. NYC Ferry is about to become a reality!" Deputy Mayor Glen said at Monday's ceremony.

Here's a full guide to your whimsical future as an NYC sea commuter.

Routes

Once it's finished, the NYC Ferry network will be made up of six new lines with 22 pickup points. Click each line below for a more detailed list of departure times and addresses.

1. The East River line, launching May 1

• East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan —> Hunters Point South, Queens (5 minutes)
• Hunters Point South —> Greenpoint, Brooklyn (4 minutes)
• Greenpoint —> North Williamsburg, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• North Williamsburg —> South Williamsburg, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• South Williamsburg —> DUMBO, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• DUMBO —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (5 minutes)

2. The Rockaway line, launching May 1

• Rockaway, Queens —> the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (43 minutes)
• Brooklyn Army Terminal —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Manhattan (16 minutes)

3. The South Brooklyn line, launching June 1

• Bay Ridge, Brooklyn —> the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (8 minutes)
• Brooklyn Army Terminal —> Red Hook, Brooklyn (11 minutes)
• Red Hook —> Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Heights (10 minutes)
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue —> DUMBO, Brooklyn (7 minutes)
• DUMBO —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Manhattan (7 minutes)

4. The Astoria line, launching in August

• Astoria, Queens —> Roosevelt Island (9 minutes)
• Roosevelt Island —> Long Island City, Queens (7 minutes)
• Long Island City —> East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan (6 minutes)
• East 34th Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (16 minutes)

5. The Lower East Side line, launching summer 2018

• Long Island City, Queens —> East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan (6 minutes)
• East 34th Street —> Stuyvesant Cove, Stuy-Town, Manhattan (7 minutes)
• Stuyvesant Cove —> Grand Street, Lower Manhattan (10 minutes)
• Grand Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (9 minutes)

6. The Soundview line, launching summer 2018

• Soundview/Clason Point, The Bronx —> East 90th Street, Harlem, Manhattan (18 minutes)
• East 90th Street —> East 62nd Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan (9 minutes)
• East 62nd Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (16 minutes)

UPDATE: The East River and South Brooklyn lines will also be making stops at Governors Island throughout the summer. More details here.

Maps

Here's what the entire network will look like once it's completed in summer 2018. Click to enlarge.

And here's a map of the network as it will look by August of this year (pretty much the same as the map above, only without the Lower East Side and Soundview lines, which won't be completed until summer 2018). Click to enlarge.

Tickets And Fares

Just like on the NYC subway system, a ride on the ferry system will cost you $2.75 — including on the East River line, which used to cost $4 per ride.

Your single-ride ticket will remain valid for all transfers between ferries within a 90-minute window. It will cost you $1 extra per ride to bring your bicycle on board.

A monthly pass for the ferry system — which will allow you unlimited rides for 30 days — will cost $121.00, or $141.00 with an added bicycle pass.

Kids under the height of 44 inches can ride for free when accompanied by an adult.

You have three options for purchasing ferry tickets: 1) through the NYC Ferry app, 2) through a ticket machine at the landing, or 3) through a ticket agent at the landing. Both cash and credit/debit cards will be accepted at ferry landings.

Tickets purchased through the app will be downloadable on your phone. To use these electronic tickets, you'll basically just flash your phone screen to a crew member as you board.

On Board

There are 129 inside seats aboard each ferry, along with 28 seats located on the outer deck.

Stroller and bicycle parking will be available. Boats will be fully accessible to New Yorkers with disabilities. Pets must be caged and/or muzzled to be allowed on board, unless they're certified service animals.

Each boat will be equipped with wifi for passengers, and will host a concession stand with "snacks and drinks, essentials from sunblock to phone chargers, and a rotating mix of tech, fashion, health and other products all geared towards the commuter," according to the city.

Perhaps best of all: Booze will be served on board. (Exact menu offerings have yet to be revealed.)

Here are the city's official guidelines for passenger conduct aboard the new ferries. No running, littering, spitting, smoking or skating is allowed.

Jobs

The city is hiring around 200 people for various positions throughout the NYC Ferry system, including captains and deckhands. Find out more here.

Photos courtesy of the NYC Mayor's Office