NYC Ferry ridership has already surpassed 2019 projections

The NYC Ferry has proven to be much more successful than anticipated: The New York Times reports that ridership has already surpassed numbers that were projected for 2019. (Looks like plenty of other folks agree that it’s one of the best ways to get around town these days.)

While the ferry system has a long way to go before it even comes close to ridership levels on other forms of mass transit, it has carried more than 2.5 million passengers since its launch.

To keep up with demand, the city is exploring the possibility of creating express routes, and is set to expand service next year to the Bronx and the Upper East Side. During the summer, Mayor de Blasio made the decision to add three more vessels to the ferry’s 20-boat fleet and also had to charter additional boats to accommodate the influx of weekend riders.

Though popular, the NYC Ferry is also more expensive to operate than projected. In order to keep the fare price at just $2.75, the system relies heavily on subsidies that equate to roughly $6.60 per rider and has already cost the city somewhere around $16.5 million so far, says the Times.

• New York City’s Ferry Fleet Is Off to a Fast Start [NYT]
• NYC Ferry will hire charter boats to accommodate growing crowds [Curbed]
• How navigating NYC’s transit options gave me a renewed appreciation for the city [Curbed]
• NYC Ferry is looking to add new docks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx [Curbed]