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The harbor is getting a reboot.
In the first major shake-up to NYC Ferry since its 2017 debut, the city has proposed a new route map that would finally connect Staten Island to Brooklyn, reviving a historic ferry corridor that’s been out of commission since 1964. The new connection would link Bay Ridge’s 69th Street Pier to Staten Island’s St. George Terminal and extend onward to Wall Street and Atlantic Avenue.
The move is part of a broader ferry system reconfiguration announced by the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) this week, kicking off a public feedback period through the summer. The proposed changes are aimed at fixing known service gaps, optimizing operations and—yes—finally making the ferry network feel like more than just a joyride for East River Instagrammers.
“NYC Ferry is taking a fresh, holistic look across the system and proposing a comprehensive reconfiguration of routes to improve rider experience, fix known issues and ensure NYC Ferry is a mainstay on our waterways for years to come,” James Wong, the executive director, said in a statement.
Also in the mix: a northward shift to the South Brooklyn route that would cut Sunset Park and Bay Ridge stops (but add a Manhattan landing at 34th Street), a skip-stop reworking of the East River route and a merged Soundview-Rockaways line running from the Bronx all the way to Queens’ coastal edge.
The plan comes after years of clamoring from local leaders and commuters. Council Members Justin Brannan and Kamillah Hanks introduced legislation in 2024 calling for the Bay Ridge–St. George link, dubbing it a long-overdue “blue subway” that would reduce traffic, cut emissions and offer a faster alternative to jammed roads and circuitous MTA routes. “It’s a return to something that always made sense,” Brannan said.
While the proposal is buoyed by public interest, it still has to clear a few waves. The city will conduct a rider survey this summer, with a final map expected in September and implementation slated for winter.
For now, commuters can dream of a future where crossing the Narrows doesn’t mean a car, a bridge or a transfer-filled trek. The harbor, at last, may be back in business.