New NYC Ferries Plagued By Delays, Crowding And Lines: Reports

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — New Yorkers have a bad case of ferry fury.

The citywide ferry service that launched about one month ago is already garnering complaints of overcrowded and delayed boats plus long lines to board them, according to a New York Times report.

The ferries were meant to provide an alternative to the city’s public transportation by offering two routes — on along the East River and another from Lower Manhattan to the Rockaways — for the same price as single subway ride.

But New Yorkers have found the ferries have more in common with the subways than the price.

Decided to take @NYCferry back from Rockaway. As soon as I bought a ticket, they announced it was 20 mins late. pic.twitter.com/KhAE8DlVCB
— Liam Jeffries (@ljeff1000) May 27, 2017

.@NYCferry with a 15m delay in rain you need to let customers know. Ticket tackers sauntering off ferry after major delay is unacceptable
— Kyle Yecke (@kyecke) May 25, 2017

Delays this month were due to high ridership and the Con Ed oil spill into the East River on May 7 which caused ferries to reduce their speeds until May 23, DNAInfo reported.

The ferries are subsidized by the city and championed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, but are run by Hornblower, the public company that also runs the Staten Island Ferry.

In response to the high demand — the boats carried 26,000 passengers on Saturday and Sunday — the city has promised to provide three extra boats, each capable of carrying 150 people, according to the New York Times.

There will be a total of seven ferries with 21 stops in each of the five boroughs.

Image via the New York City Mayor's Office