Upcoming Changes to NYC Ferry Routes
Significant updates are on the horizon for New York City’s ferry system. Starting December 8, new ferry routes will debut, featuring integrated services and additional stops designed to enhance connectivity across the city.
With this new optimization plan, passengers will finally have a direct route connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island, allowing them to travel via the St. George route from western Manhattan to Wall Street.
This expanded service will also enable ferry access from Brooklyn to the west side of Manhattan for the first time, as stated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the entity overseeing the ferry operations.
Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of NYCEDC, remarked that these changes represent “the first-ever system-wide redesign to provide New Yorkers in all five boroughs with faster commutes, better connectivity, and better service.”
In addition, a new route will combine Soundview and Rockaway services, transporting commuters from Throgs Neck in the Bronx to the east side of Manhattan and the Rockaways in Queens. This adjustment aims to address the issue of nearly empty boats bound for the Bronx during morning rush hours.
The new plan will also split East River service into two routes. This modification is intended to increase seating capacity and enhance travel speed. Both routes will commence at East 34th Street, with Route A serving Hunters Point South and North Williamsburg, while Route B will stop at Greenpoint and South Williamsburg.
A pilot service is set to launch in South Brooklyn on weekends during the summer of 2026, expanding the new South Brooklyn route to include Bay Ridge and Sunset Park. The outcomes of this pilot will be reviewed the following fall.
This update comes amidst a surge in ferry ridership, which saw nearly a 6% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, and an impressive 35% rise since 2019. This spike in usage has coincided with the implementation of Manhattan’s congestion pricing in January, which has prompted some Bronx residents to call for their own ferry service.
Furthermore, forthcoming expansions are anticipated, as a report recently released by the agency proposes two new stops at 125th Street in East Harlem and the MADE-Busch terminal at Sunset Park, along with improvements to East 34th Street, a busy terminal in the network.
Future development plans for New York City Ferry Service are expected to commence in early 2026, involving community input and feedback to ensure the new routes align with changing priorities and needs across the city.
