Belford Ferry Terminal Will Receive $4 Million For Dock Improvements

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This week, Congressman Frank Pallone — who represents North Middletown in U.S. Congress — announced he secured $4 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for repairs at the Belford ferry terminal.

Monmouth County will use the $4 million to repair dockside equipment so passengers can safely board and disembark the ferry.

According to Congressman Pallone, these are "critical repairs" that are needed. It is unknown when exactly work will begin.

Just this past fall, NY Waterway lost its contract to continue operating the Belford ferry service: Monmouth County instead awarded the lucrative contract to competitor SeaStreak, which runs the ferries out of Highlands.

In response, NY Waterway sued Monmouth County in early November, but it appears they lost their legal battle.

SeaStreak started running the Belford-to-Manhattan service on Dec. 5. Amidst a customer outcry, they will add a route to Jersey City starting Monday, Jan. 23, the Asbury Park Press reported this week. (NY Waterway always provided the route to Jersey City, but SeaStreak did not offer it until customers complained.)

The average one-way Seastreak ticket is $6 more expensive than what NY Waterway charged.

Before Monmouth County Commissioners decided to give the contract to SeaStreak, NY Waterway had been running the Belford Ferry Service for more than 20 years, ever since the Belford ferry terminal first opened in 1999.

But their 20-year contract expired in 2022. NY Waterway had to re-apply before Monmouth County to keep the contract, and they did. So did their arch-rival SeaStreak.

Last July, the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners voted to give the contract to SeaStreak. They said they did that because NY Waterway's proposal did not include a "Consent of Surety," which is proof they have a bank bond to continue the service if they ran into financial trouble.

At the time, NY Waterway told the Asbury Park Press they were "stunned" by county's decision.

In their application, NY Waterway provided a letter that showed they have bank credit to run the service — but they confirmed they did not actually present the precise "Consent of Surety" the county asked for. NY Waterway also argued they clearly have the financial resources to run the service, as they've been successfully running the Belford ferries for years.

NY Waterway also recently invested in much bigger, stronger boats to handle the sometimes-rough waters of Raritan Bay and Lower New York Harbor.

Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone thanked Pallone for the $4 million in federal cash:

"These much-needed funds will allow Monmouth County to make the necessary upgrades so we can continue to offer commuters fast and reliable service to and from New York City," he said.

Before the pandemic, the ferry carried 1,300 daily passengers from Middletown to New York City and back. Statistics from the first half of 2022 show ridership is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels.

On this topic: NY Waterway Files Appeal To Keep Running Belford Ferry Service (Nov. 10, 2022)