Emergency Hoboken To Midtown Ferry Route To Become Permanent Fixture

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — An emergency ferry route linking the Hoboken NJ Transit Terminal and the West 39th Street Midtown Ferry Terminal will become a permanent offering in September, NY Waterwaysannounced Wednesday.

The route was put into action when a NJ Transit train derailed in Penn Station last week which disrupted city-bound service and diverted passengers into Hoboken. The privately-owned ferry company shuttled more than 4,000 commuters from Hoboken to Midtown during the emergency operation.

"We have been considering for some time the need for this Hoboken to Midtown route," NY Waterway President & Founder Arthur Imperatore said in a statement. "The success of this trial by fire proved that the time to act is now."

The ferry ride from Hoboken to West 39th Street takes 12 minutes, according to NY Waterway. Once ferry passengers arrive at West 39th Street they will be able to use a free transfer to NY Waterway's crosstown shuttle buses.

Certain details about the new ferry route — such as the price and route schedules — are still being determined, according to NY Waterways. Unlike the emergency service, the permanent ferry service will not be limited to NJ Transit customers.

Photo by Ron Cogswell via Flickr/Creative Commons