Mayor Bill de Blasio, Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman, and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo announced today the full restoration of round-the-clock 30-minute Staten Island Ferry service effective August 16, 2021.
“Fast, reliable, and frequent transit options are at the core of Staten Island’s recovery, and I’m proud to work with Commissioner Gutman and Borough President Oddo to deliver the ferry service this borough deserves,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From essential workers, to office employees, to young people enjoying a late night out, New Yorkers have a thousand reasons to celebrate half-hour service. It’s a sure sign that we’re building a recovery for all of us.”
“Returning overnight ferry service will make our city more accessible for the tens of thousands of Staten Islanders who depend on fast, reliable transit options to Manhattan,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “As businesses reopen and workers return to the office, increased service is a major step toward building a fair and equitable recovery for Staten Island.”
“I am pleased that full overnight service will return to the Staten Island Ferry later this summer, all thanks to the Mayor’s and Borough President’s commitment to getting us back to normal,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Staten Islanders and their elected officials have made it very clear how important frequent service is to their quality of life – and we are once again happy to oblige in bringing back service every half hour on one of New York City’s great commutes.”
“In 2013, the Staten Island Advance indicated that I was on a ‘crusade’ to increase Staten Island Ferry service. When we enacted Local Law 88 of 2013 we had a defined path to 24/7/365 days half hour service. The law was phased in and when the bill on the second part of implementation came, the mayor lived up to his commitment and funded this level of service. Staten Island was a team player during Covid and we took the ferry reduction as part of the collective sacrifice New Yorkers were asked to make. We have been anxiously awaiting the return the 24/7/365, and I can’t say I have been patient. But the Mayor assured me we would get it back and today he’s announced a date certain for the level of Ferry service we want and expect. Local Law 88 of 2013 lives on. That glorious Big Orange boat will continue to be a lifeline to Manhattan. New York City continues to recover and come back strong. Crusade, indeed,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.
The new service schedules additional trips, all originating from St. George Ferry Terminal, starting at 12:30 a.m. on August 16. Other restored trips will depart on the half-hour from 1:30-4:30 a.m. on weekdays and 12:30-6:30 a.m. on weekends. Prior to the activation of full service in August, DOT will hire and train new personnel required for these additional trips.
In 2019, the free Staten Island Ferry moved 70,000 passengers per day on weekdays and 22 million people a year between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Lower Manhattan.
For more information on accessing the ferry, traveler information, schedules, and more, visit nyc.gov/siferry or contact 311.
“The Staten Island Ferry is, undeniably, one of New York City’s most iconic features. The return of overnight ferry service to every half hour is a sign that our city has finally re-opened. More importantly, however, is that this is a welcome return for many of our late night commuters, who are often forgotten when it comes to overnight transit options,” said Assembly Member Michael Reilly.
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