Since earlier than NYC Ferry first launched its Soundview route in 2017 connecting The Bronx to Manhattan by water, Welcome2TheBronx has been vocally advocating for a direct connection to Brooklyn and Queens.
Now, after years of pushing for this concept—together with hundreds of Bronx commuters who wish to bypass Manhattan on their technique to Queens and Brooklyn—it’s one step nearer to actuality.
NYC Ferry and the New York Metropolis Financial Growth Company (NYCEDC) introduced yesterday that they’re amassing public feedback on proposed modifications to routes together with the enlargement of the Soundview route which might lengthen to Sundown Park, Brooklyn, and the Rockaways.
The route could be by far the longest within the NYC Ferry system at virtually 34 miles and can take about two hours to journey from one finish to the opposite. Presently, it will possibly take over two and a half hours to get between Soundview and the Rockaways by public transportation and requires a number of modifications to completely different subway strains alongside the best way.
A one-seat journey between these communities is a a lot welcomed aid.
In accordance with NYCEDC, the frequency of service will roughly keep the identical with weekday peak service barely rising to each 43 minutes versus the present 41 minutes and weekday off-peak rising to 64 minutes from 61.
Summer time weekend frequency is anticipated to stay the identical at 45 minutes.
The proposed modifications, which can merge some routes, and, as within the case of the proposed Soundview/Rockaway route, provide commuters seamless journey with out having to modify ferries, is geared to extend ridership which can assist lower the subsidy per rider.
Offering a direct public transportation possibility, aside from buses, between The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens is among the most impactful selections given the truth that the three boroughs mixed account for 7 million residents—virtually 80% of NYC’s inhabitants of 8.3 million.
Nonetheless, if NYC Ferry and NYCEDC wish to really be revolutionary, they need to embrace a route that might additional join The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens with a brand new route that might go from Soundview and Throggs Neck to Astoria, LIC, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and even DUMBO.
This might make all these communities simply accessible to one another and has the potential to make an excellent larger environmental impression by taking vehicles off the street if simpler entry is supplied between them.
Within the meantime, NYCEDC is accepting feedback on the proposed modifications and if you wish to present your personal ideas, you may simply achieve this right here, simply be sure you achieve this by Monday, September 1, 2025.
