First comprehensive overhaul since 2017 includes new Brooklyn-Staten Island connection
Comprehensive Network Redesign
The New York City Economic Development Corporation and NYC Ferry announced Monday the finalized comprehensive redesign of ferry routes, marking the first system-wide reconfiguration since the network’s 2017 launch. The optimized routes, which take effect December 8, 2025, will shorten commute times, provide riders with more destinations, and improve overall system efficiency. The changes follow significant community and rider engagement, with nearly 15,000 people weighing in on proposed modifications during the public comment period this summer.
New Routes and Service Improvements
The most significant addition is the new St. George route, creating the first direct ferry connection between Brooklyn and Staten Island. This addresses a long-standing gap in the city’s transit network, as the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is only accessible by car, leaving transit-dependent residents without a direct mass transit option between the two boroughs. According to NYC Ferry, the route will provide a crucial new connection that Brooklyn and Staten Island politicians have requested for years. The East River route will be split into two services during most times of day–East River A and East River B–ensuring more seats are available and faster trips during high ridership periods. A local route will serve all East River stops during midday on weekdays and winter weekends to preserve connectivity. The Soundview and Rockaway routes are being combined, allowing riders from Rockaway and Sunset Park to reach Midtown and East 90th Street without a transfer. This combined route will maintain the current Soundview service frequency of approximately every 45 minutes.
Record Ridership and Future Expansion
The redesign comes amid record-breaking ridership for the ferry system. Mayor Eric Adams praised the network’s success: “From Throgs Neck to the Rockaways, our city’s ferries give New Yorkers and tourists alike a convenient, affordable way to travel across the five boroughs. Thanks to smart investments to make our ferry system more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, we’ve already shattered ridership records this summer.” In 2024, NYC Ferry carried a record 7.4 million passengers, and as of May 2025, ridership was up five percent from the same period last year. The system’s per-rider subsidy has dropped to $8.33, a more than 35% reduction from its 2020 peak, according to NYCEDC’s fiscal transparency report. Officials anticipate the per-rider subsidy will fall another $1.00 by 2028, with an estimated 14% increase in ridership due to the optimization plan. NYCEDC is also making infrastructure commitments to support system growth. The East 34th Street Ferry Terminal will be expanded with additional berths and passenger space. A second homeport facility, launching in 2027 in Red Hook, will house half the ferry fleet. Additionally, two new landings have been identified for design and community engagement: East 125th Street in East Harlem and MADE-Bush Terminal in Sunset Park. The 125th Street landing would bring service to East Harlem, which has long called for better transit connectivity, particularly to complement the ongoing Manhattan Greenway Harlem River project. According to the real estate and development news, the area surrounding the proposed Bush Terminal has evolved into a dynamic mixed-use hub, with numerous redevelopment projects driving economic growth and creating thousands of jobs. While neighborhoods like Canarsie have been excluded from this phase of expansion, NYCEDC lists the area as a focus for possible future service in its 2025 Ferries Report. City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, representing Canarsie, expressed cautious optimism: “While of course I’m disappointed we weren’t included in this phase, I’m encouraged that Canarsie will be examined in the city’s upcoming Vision for the Future of Ferries.” The ferry system has faced criticism in the past for high subsidies and spotty service, but according to transit experts at Mass Transit Magazine, the combination of record ridership, declining subsidies, and improved service reliability suggests the system has turned a corner in becoming a sustainable part of New York’s transportation network.
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