Rockin’ the Boat: Rockaway Residents On the NYC Ferry
After Hurricane Sandy struck the Rockaways and mauled over a quarter mile stretch of A-train tracks and equipment, many residents found themselves stranded. So, the city provided a subsidized ferry service. It was very popular. And then it was taken away. Boo! Well, it’s back. Yay!
On May 1st, the City of New York launched its Rockaway ferry service, the first of several routes that offer a more aquatic commuting alternative for the cost of the subway. That means Rockaway residents (and others) can now regularly enjoy rides to and from the isolated peninsula in 59-minutes or less on brand new boats that are stocked with liquor and wi-fi. The new route includes stops in Sunset Park — hello Brooklyn! — and Wall Street’s Pier 11 in Manhattan.
Now that its in full swing, we asked ferry riders what the new service means to them.
Name: Chaz
Age: 31
Neighborhood: Arverne
Best thing about the new Rockaways ferry: “It means more people visiting the Rockaways!”
Name: Theresa
Age: 51
Neighborhood: Arverne
Best thing about the Rockaways: “The beach, the water, the sand, the amazing sunsets.”
Name: Manny
Age: 55
Neighborhood: Rockaway Beach
Best thing about the Rockaways: “It’s the beaches of the five boroughs. The beaches are beautiful especially with the new boardwalk.”
Name: Deedra
Age: 32
Neighborhood: Rockaway Park
Best thing about the Rockaways: “The beach!”
Name: Stephanie
Age: 24
Neighborhood: Rockaway Park
Best thing about the Rockaways: “The people. The people are awesome.”
