Rep. Malliotakis, Assembly Dep. Maj. Leader Fall, BP Fossella, DA McMahon, CM Brannan, CM Hanks, NYCEDC, and Transportation Alternatives Ride First Fast Ferry from Staten Island to South Brooklyn

Residents of Staten Island’s North Shore who commute via transit spend an hour on average commuting daily. 

 Residents of Bay Ridge have access to more than five times as many jobs by public transit as St. George residents.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. —  Today, Monday, December 8, at 9:30 a.m., Representative Nicole Malliotakis, State Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Charles Fall, Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, Council Member Justin Brannan, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, representatives from the Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, representatives from the office of Senator Jessica Spanton, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Transportation Alternatives, the chair of the Forest Avenue Regional Residents' Association, the chair of the New Brighton Civic Association and community members gathered to celebrate and ride on the first fast ferry between the North Shore of Staten Island and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. 

“After more than three years of advocacy, it's finally time to celebrate!” said Rose Uscianowski, the Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer for Transportation Alternatives. “The expansion of fast ferry service is an enormous win for all of Staten Island. It offers direct, car-free travel between Staten Island and Brooklyn for the first time in more than 50 years, cuts travel time by up to an hour for thousands of commuters and enables more residents to ditch their car during their daily commutes. Let’s bring more options to Staten Island!”  

The event included a ribbon cutting and onboard celebration. The campaign to connect Staten Island and Bay Ridge by ferry is a joint effort of the St. George Civic Association’s Ferry Riders’ Committee, Transportation Alternatives, the New Brighton Citizens Committees, and the Bay Ridge Environmental Group. The effort was spearheaded by St. George resident Justin Wood, who began a change.org petition for the route in 2021.

Adrienne Abbate, the Executive Director of Staten Island Partnerships for Community Wellness, said, “Partnerships for Community Wellness is thrilled to herald the expansion of the NYC Ferry service connecting St. George to Brooklyn and Wall Street. Access to transportation is a well-documented social determinant of health, and this new line will serve as a vital resource, connecting Staten Islanders to critical job opportunities, health services, and amenities that have been historically difficult for our residents to access. We extend our sincere gratitude to the NYC Economic Development Corporation and all of the partners who worked tirelessly to make this essential ferry service a reality for our community.”

"As ridership numbers for NYC Ferry continue to break records, Waterfront Alliance is thrilled to see neighborhoods reconnected by water. Reconnecting Staten Island to Brooklyn via ferry has been long supported by residents in both boroughs, and we are proud to see it as part of EDC's NYC Ferry Network Optimization," said Julie Raskin, President & CEO, Waterfront Alliance.

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