"When you see what the traffic is just coming out here today, there's got to be a better way," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a news conference Tuesday on the boardwalk at Beach 126th Street.
A pilot weekend ferry service from the Rockaways in 2003 failed largely because of its high price - $26 each way. More recently, when transportation officials have sought Rockaway ferry proposals, there has been little or no interest.
This time, however, the city is willing to subsidize the service, at least at first, Bloomberg said. Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) estimated the subsidy would have to be at least $1 million per year to make the service attractive to a private ferry operator.
"You've got a population growth here like no other place in the city and it can support a ferry, if the deal is structured correctly," Addabbo said.
Transportation officials say they would like to keep the fare to $4 each way, the same price as express bus service into Manhattan. They envision the ferry going from Riis Landing to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan, although they expect private operators may propose other stops in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
The city's Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday will issue a call to private ferry operators, which will have six weeks to respond with their proposals for Rockaway service.
With the average commute from the Rockaways to Manhattan clocking in at between 90 minutes and two hours each way, residents say they hope this ferry plan sticks.
"Rockaway is a hidden jewel in New York City and we need to get better transportation here," said Mary Dever Kelly of the Rockaway Park Home and Residents Association.
"We've been the stepchild of the city when it comes to transportation for way too long."
Original article...
