NYC Ferry Expands To Record Service: Here's What To Know

NEW YORK, NY— New York City will launch the largest summer ferry schedule in the system’s history ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, city officials announced, adding more vessels, expanded routes and reservable beach-bound service across the harbor.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Economic Development Corporation said the expanded schedule began this week and will continue through Sept. 13, as the city prepares for an expected surge of visitors during the World Cup and other major summer events.

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The administration also unveiled five custom-wrapped NYC Ferry vessels featuring borough-themed designs inspired by the World Cup. The ferries will operate throughout New York Harbor through the end of the summer.

“Whether you’re headed to a World Cup match, a neighborhood block party, or one of our world-class public beaches, NYC Ferry will get you there quickly, safely and in style all summer long," Mamdani said.

The expanded summer schedule includes more weekend trips, larger vessels on high-demand routes and increased beach service to reduce travel and wait times.

Officials said NYC Ferry will also restore the Rockaway Reserve program, allowing passengers to reserve seats on select departures between Wall Street’s Pier 11 and the Rockaways beginning May 23.

The Rockaway Rocket express service from Long Island City and Greenpoint will return later this summer and operate through Labor Day.

Both the Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket tickets will cost $12.

The City will also add direct shuttle service to Governors Island from Pier 11 and extend weekend local service along the South Brooklyn route between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook and northern Brooklyn stops.

NYC Ferry officials said seasonal ridership continues to climb across the system. The East River route recorded more than 40,000 boardings over a recent weekend, marking its two busiest ridership days on record.

Last summer, the ferry system also set daily, weekly and monthly ridership records, according to city officials.

August 2025 marked the highest single-month ridership total in system history.

The City said the Rockaway Reserve program sold 30,000 tickets in 2025, generating more than $360,000 in revenue, while the Rockaway Rocket sold more than 17,000 tickets and generated more than $200,000.

Spanning 70 nautical miles, NYC Ferry operates 38 vessels across six routes and 25 landings, making it the largest passenger-only ferry fleet in the United States.

Officials said the expanded ferry service will support transportation needs during the FIFA World Cup, Sail4th 250 celebrations and Fourth of July events while connecting riders to beaches, parks and neighborhoods throughout the City.