Nov. 3, 2017 by Nathaly Pesantez
The NYC Ferry system will work under new schedules starting on Nov. 4 to accommodate for the winter season.
The schedule changes, released on Nov. 1, show reduced service for the fleet of ferries across all lines, including the East River route and the newly implemented Astoria Route. Riders are expected to see the same frequency of service during weekday peak hours, but will see fewer vessels on weekends.
Commuters traveling via the East River Route will see 22 minute waits between ferries taking off from 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., similar to the current 25 minute wait between each.
During off-peak hours for the winter schedule, vessels will arrive every 44 minutes along the East River Route.
For commuters on the Astoria route, vessels are expected to see no change in schedule during the morning and afternoon rush, with ferries taking off every 25 minutes. The ferries will arrive every 50 minutes during off peak hours, similar to the prior season’s schedule.
The Astoria route will see a significant reduction on weekends during the winter, with vessels taking off every 50 minutes as opposed to every 33 minutes in the warmer months. East River route ferries will take off every 45 minutes under the winter schedule, a 10 minute change from the former schedule.
Ferry landings will also see some changes in the winter months, as the Economic Development Corporation will be adding windscreens and infrared heaters to the sites.
The EDC did not immediately respond to questions on the length of the winter schedule to go into effect tomorrow.
The NYC Ferry system saw one million riders as of late July, three months after its launch.
For full winter schedules, visit the NYC Ferry page.