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The new NYC Ferry service officially launched on May 1, but it hasn't yet found its footing. Less than a month in, it's been plagued by delayed service, long lines and bad weather. The New York Times reported that over Memorial Day weekend, large crowds formed at ferry landing locations and prospective passengers waited in line for more than an hour, only to leave in frustration.
The new service came with a lot of promise. A brand new line of boats sought to bring a much-needed improvement to the old East River Ferry, which is now looped into the NYC Ferry system, and a new route connecting Lower Manhattan to the Rockaways in less than an hour now provides easy access to some of the city's best beaches. On top of that, the boats are outfitted with boutique shops that sell booze and coffee to passengers. All of this is available for a one-way fare that costs just $2.75—if you can snag a seat.
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The biggest problem with the new ferry service seems to be that the new boats have a capacity of just 149 people. With a little more than 100 trips taken between the two lines on weekdays and reduced service on weekends, the system simply isn't designed to handle the high volume of demand for a cheap, picturesque trip across the river.
Four more lines will roll out over the next year, but the total capacity for the system will be a mere drop in the bucket compared to the ever-increasing ridership on the city's subways.
The ferry system was championed as a big win for Mayor de Blasio, who is seeking reelection in the fall. Unlike the MTA-operated subway and bus systems, the NYC Ferry is controlled by the city, not the state. During a period when blame for increasing subway delays is unfairly being cast at the mayor (who has very little say in how the subway is operated), launching a shiny new transit service looked to be a major win.
Alas, the ferry has turned out to be even more infuriating than the subway during peak hours. The service hasn't turned transformed New York Harbor into a key part of the city's transit infrastructure, as de Blasio claimed in a press event upon its launch. That could change, but if you're planning on taking the NYC Ferry this summer, show up early.