NYC announces a request for bids from ferry operators for new temporary service
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced a request for bids from New York-area ferry service operators for a new, temporary service from Great Kills, Staten Island to Manhattan that will serve communities that saw some of the worst damage from Hurricane Sandy. The new service is designed to bring immediate relief to and ease the commutes of residents in Great Kills, Midland Beach, Tottenville and other impacted Staten Island neighborhoods. Storm damage to vehicles and ongoing transportation impacts around the city has lengthened daily commutes for thousands of New Yorkers in these areas. The new ferry service will join the temporarily-expanded Atlantic Express X23 and X24 express bus service already serving Staten Island commuters elsewhere in the borough. The Department of Transportation expects to receive bids before the end of the week, allowing for service to begin by November 26th.
“We are committed to rebuilding and helping people in Staten Island and all impacted areas get their lives back on track,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Part of the rebuilding effort is making sure Staten Islanders have manageable commutes to their jobs despite heavy damage to roadways and vehicles during the storm. This new fast ferry service from Great Kills is affordable and quick, and we are confident it will help ease the commute for Staten Islanders during these tough times.”
“For those Staten Islanders rebuilding their homes and their lives, every minute counts,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “With this new Staten Island ferry service, we're doing our part to get New Yorkers back on their way and providing a new and faster commuting option to some of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods and making that daily trip to work or school easier and faster.”
“Hurricane Sandy upended the lives of thousands and transformed the daily commute into a daily struggle for too many Staten Islanders,” said Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro. “I applaud Commissioner Sadik-Khan for so quickly implementing this new, Great Kills ferry service, which is not just a fast, convenient way to get to work, but also the latest sign that all New Yorkers are working together to help Staten Island rebuild, better than ever.”
“Fast ferry service is a common-sense and needed addition to Staten Island’s transportation infrastructure for both the immediate and long-term,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza. “The need has been made more obvious by the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for working with us to make this happen.”
“This fast ferry will bring sorely needed relief to my constituents who suffer from the longest commutes in the nation,” said Council Member Vincent Ignizio. “I am proud to have been working closely with the Bloomberg Administration and my colleagues in government to make this a reality.”
“Staten Islanders have some of the most difficult commutes in the nation so adding this transportation alternative is welcomed news,” said Council Member James Oddo. “We are all too familiar with the shortcomings of being an Island, but using our waterfront in this manner makes sense and I hope the Bloomberg Administration's initiative provides much needed relief to some Island residents.”
The service, which is expected to run for eight weeks as storm recovery efforts continue, will include six trips leaving a newly-constructed landing at Great Kills between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, bound for Pier 11 at Wall Street and continuing on to 35th Street, and six return departures in the afternoon, between 12:00 Noon to 6:15 PM. The one-way fare will be $2.00, comparable to fares for temporary ferry routes established in the Rockaways.
Source: http://www.nyc.gov/