NYC Ferry Launches Astoria To Wall Street Route

ASTORIA, QUEENS – Ferry service taking customers between Astoria and Wall Street launched Tuesday, the latest extension of the NYC Ferry which launched for business earlier this year.

"Our streets are too crowded. Our subways are too crowded," Mayor Bill de Blasio said as he launched the service. "Our waterways are nice and open. And so that’s why we knew we had to get back to the water."

The new route starts at Hallet's Cove at 3-10 Astoria Blvd., where de Blasio welcomed it Tuesday, and makes stops at 104 Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge on Roosevelt Island, 47th Road in Long Island City and E. 35th Street at F.D.R. Drive before terminating at Pier 11 Downtown.

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"More and more New Yorkers need a better way to get around and a faster way to get around, and NYC Ferry is part of the answer," de Blasio said.

NYC Ferry took to the water on May 1 with two separate routes connecting the Rockaways and South Brooklyn to Downtown Manhattan. Another route connects Wall Street, Midtown, DUMBO, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

Since then, riders have complained of long lines due to overcrowding and delayed boats. In one instance, an oil spill in the East River forced ferries to reduce their speeds, snarling commutes.

However, NYC Ferry last week released results of an internal survey showing more than nine out of 10 riders approved of service so far.

New ferry lines are planned for the Lower East Side and the Bronx next year.

Tickets cost $2.75 per ride or $121 for a 30-day pass.

Lead image via YouTube.