NYC Ferry to Connect Staten Island and Brooklyn Starting December 8th
The NYC Ferry system will begin service connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn on December 8th, providing a new transit option for residents of both boroughs.
The new route will operate between the St. George Terminal on Staten Island and the American Veterans Memorial Pier at 69th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The expansion, overseen by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, will add a second leg to the existing St. George route, which currently serves Manhattan. This connection addresses long-standing calls for improved transit access between Staten Island and other parts of the city, potentially easing congestion on other routes.
According to a schedule posted on the NYC Ferry website, service will run approximately every 37 minutes during peak hours and every 50 minutes during off-peak times, an increase from the current 28 and 41-minute intervals respectively. Despite the longer wait times, the trip between Staten Island and Brooklyn is expected to take around 11 minutes. The revamped route will also connect to Wall Street/Pier 11, providing access to the broader NYC Ferry network, including routes to locations like Soundview and Rockaway. “I am thrilled that Staten Island is finally being connected to the full NYC Ferry system,” said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat representing the Island’s North Shore. “This long-overdue expansion is not just a victory for transit equity, but a vital step forward in strengthening our borough’s connection to the rest of the city.”
Interestingly, this ferry route revives a historical connection; a similar service, known as “The Short Way to New Jersey,” operated between St. George and 69th Street from 1912 until 1964, when it was discontinued following the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Officials stated the expansion was previously delayed due to financial concerns with the ferry system.
The NYC Ferry anticipates the new schedule will be fully implemented by December 8th and encourages riders to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
