New NYC Ferry to Lower Manhattan from the Bronx: No Parking for Commuters (Yet)

Fascinated by the expansion of ferry service into and out of New York City? Jealous of the folks in Rockland County who are crossing the Hudson River every day to and from Metro-North? The waterways that weave through NYC's five boroughs are about to be transformed into a nautical subway system of sorts, thanks to a new fleet of 20 ferry boats that will crisscross the East River and Brooklyn's upper and lower bays along six new lines. And yes, the rumors are true: There will be booze served on board.

Commuters from the northern suburbs, you might be eyeing the Soundview Line between the Bronx and Wall Street. A 43-minute trip to Pier 11, it looks like a winner at first glance — right there at 2 Bronx River Parkway.

There could be a snag: parking.

Right now, the only ferry landing with its own parking is in Rockaway, according to the NYC Ferry website FAQ. But then again, the launch of the Soundview Line is still a year away, so things could change, city officials said.

The first of the new ferry lines began running May 1. The final line is scheduled to open by summer 2018.
In celebration, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio took his triumphant inaugural ride aboard one of the new ferries Monday morning, following a weird ceremony at the Brooklyn Bridge Park docks in which Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, the boat's designated “godmother,” officially "christened" the vessel and oversaw a reading of "Sailor’s Paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm" by the FDNY's official chaplain — all while a small boat from the FDNY marine unit fired off some water cannons nearby.

The city had previously allowed a group of second-graders in Bay Ridge to name the ferry boat; accordingly, the word "Lunchbox" could be seen emblazoned along its starboard bow.

"The docks are ready. The boats are ready. The riders are ready. NYC Ferry is about to become a reality!" Deputy Mayor Glen said at Monday's ceremony.

Routes

Once it's finished, the NYC Ferry network will be made up of six new lines with 22 pickup points. Click each line below for a more detailed list of departure times and addresses.
1. The East River line, launching May 1

• East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan —> Hunters Point South, Queens (5 minutes)
• Hunters Point South —> Greenpoint, Brooklyn (4 minutes)
• Greenpoint —> North Williamsburg, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• North Williamsburg —> South Williamsburg, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• South Williamsburg —> DUMBO, Brooklyn (5 minutes)
• DUMBO —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (5 minutes)

2. The Rockaway line, launching May 1

• Rockaway, Queens —> the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (43 minutes)
• Brooklyn Army Terminal —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Manhattan (16 minutes)

3. The South Brooklyn line, launching June 1

• Bay Ridge, Brooklyn —> the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (8 minutes)
• Brooklyn Army Terminal —> Red Hook, Brooklyn (11 minutes)
• Red Hook —> Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Heights (10 minutes)
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue —> DUMBO, Brooklyn (7 minutes)
• DUMBO —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Manhattan (7 minutes)

4. The Astoria line, launching in August

• Roosevelt Island —> Long Island City, Queens (7 minutes)
• Long Island City —> East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan (6 minutes)
• East 34th Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (16 minutes)
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5. The Lower East Side line, launching summer 2018

• Long Island City, Queens —> East 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan (6 minutes)
• East 34th Street —> Stuyvesant Cove, Stuy-Town, Manhattan (7 minutes)
• Stuyvesant Cove —> Grand Street, Lower Manhattan (10 minutes)
• Grand Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (9 minutes)

6. The Soundview line, launching summer 2018

• Soundview/Clason Point, The Bronx —> East 90th Street, Harlem, Manhattan (18 minutes)
• East 90th Street —> East 62nd Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan (9 minutes)
• East 62nd Street —> Pier 11/Wall Street, Lower Manhattan (16 minutes)

The East River and South Brooklyn lines will also be making stops at Governors Island throughout the summer. More details here.

Editor's Note: Parking could be part of the Soundview Line's Bronx terminus. Information was incomplete in the original version of this article.