NYC Ferry service expansion is crucial for improving transit options in the Rockaways
New York City: The city really needs to boost the NYC Ferry service around Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. Right now, there’s just one ferry line and one subway line, and that’s not enough.
Starting Friday, the A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave for four months. The MTA is making upgrades to protect against future storms, which is important, but it’s a hassle for commuters.
As someone who lives in Rockaway and works on community resilience, I get that these service disruptions are temporary for a good cause. But we’re missing a chance to improve transit for folks in southeastern Brooklyn and Queens while also connecting them to nature.
Besides the A train, there aren’t any other subway lines serving the neighborhoods near Jamaica Bay, which is wild considering it’s close to one of the busiest airports in the country. The Rockaway peninsula is almost as long as Manhattan and has seen a huge population and business growth over the years.
Fortunately, the Jamaica Bay/Rockaway area has great potential for on-water transit with NYC Ferry. Expanding ferry service would really help activate our coastline and serve the communities that need it most. Since 2017, NYC Ferry has made a big difference for Rockaway commuters, making their trips faster and more enjoyable.
Ferries can quickly adapt to issues affecting other transit options, helping to ease traffic and complement congestion pricing. The city is already looking to improve goods transport around the harbor, so adding more commuters to our waterways makes perfect sense.
Since it started, NYC Ferry has become a vital transportation option for New Yorkers. The ridership keeps growing, and people are eager for more stops and services to make the most of our coastline.
Adding more ferry stops in Jamaica Bay and nearby waters would benefit all New Yorkers, especially those in South Brooklyn and Queens, during this train shutdown and beyond.
NYC Ferry runs from downtown Manhattan to Rockaway, and there are plenty of spots to add landings, like Coney Island and JFK Airport. It’s easy to see how extending ferry service could help commuters avoid traffic and delays.
Imagine being able to take a boat from Wall Street to JFK Airport or enjoying the outdoors without a long drive. I love the idea of connecting people to the Jamaica Bay Greenway by bike after a ferry ride.
NYC is a waterfront city with a rich maritime history, but we’re not using our waterways enough for transportation. This train shutdown in Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways highlights a big opportunity for change and planning for the future.
Carta is the executive director of the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
