More Places to Go, Speedier Trips, and a More Efficient Ferry… Carrying More New Yorkers than Ever.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced an optimized NYC Ferry system map with new routes that will begin operations on December 8, 2025. NYCEDC also shared planned upgrades to the East 34^th Street landing, identified locations for two new landings in East Harlem and Sunset Park, and committed to develop a Vision for the Future of Ferries in New York Harbor. Read more below!

New, Optimized Routes Effective Monday, December 8, 2025

NYC Ferry shared route proposals in July of this year as part of the Ferry Optimization Plan and heard from over 15,000 riders that these changes would help get people where they needed to go and people would ride more often.  With minor modifications that were made to address rider suggestions, the new map, shown and is summarized below, will be in operation beginning December 8, 2025.

• The East River will be split and operate as two routes at most times of day, ensuring more seats are available to riders and making trips faster during high ridership times. A local route will serve all stops on the East River during midday on weekdays and on winter weekends to preserve connectivity.
• The Soundview and Rockaway routes are being combined so riders from Rockaway and Sunset Park can get to Midtown and East 90th Street without a transfer. This combined route will run as frequently as today’s Soundview service, approximately every 45 minutes.
• Rockaway shuttle bus service will operate during AM and PM peak times on weekdays to serve all weekday peak departures, and on summer weekends. It will not operate at other times.
• The St. George route will be connected to Brooklyn and the rest of the system so Staten Island riders can transfer to any other route. This also connects Brooklyn to Manhattan’s west side.
• The South Brooklyn route will offer Red Hook and Atlantic Ave residents direct access to Midtown and increased frequency during peak hours. In addition, the South Brooklyn route will connect Sunset Park and Bay Ridge to Red Hook and other landings during summer weekends.

For more information about the optimized network, please visit edc.nyc/project/nycferry.

Plan your next trip on the new and improved NYC Ferry!

WinterSchedule (Effective DEC 8, 2025)

East River Local, A/B   |   South Brooklyn   |   Rockaway-Soundview   |   Astoria   |   St. George

Rockaway East Shuttle   |   Rockaway West Shuttle

Modified Holiday Schedule
(Effective DEC 14, 21, 28, 2025  / JAN 3, 4, 11, 18, 25, 2026 /  FEB 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 / MAR 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and APR 5, 2026)

East River Local, A/B   |   South Brooklyn   |   Rockaway-Soundview   |   Astoria   |   St. George

Upgrades to East 34^th Street and Identification of Two New Landings for Expansion

NYCEDC also announced efforts to upgrade NYC Ferry’s core infrastructure, including the completion of a new homeport facility at Atlantic Basin in Red Hook, and the upgrade of East 34^th Street to allow for more queueing space, more vessel berths, and better passenger flow.

Beyond today’s system, NYCEDC also identified two new ferry landings where it will begin design and engagement with community stakeholders– one in East Harlem at 125 St along the new Manhattan Greenway and one at the MADE campus at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park.

Creating a New Vision for Ferries in New York Harbor

New Yorkers continue to advocate for ferry service in other parts of the harbor, seeking faster transit options, higher-quality transportation, and the opportunity that ferries bring as a source of recreation and economic development. That is why NYCEDC will embark on creating a Vision for the Future of Ferries in New York Harbor to explore opportunities for expanded ferry service.

The Vision will be expansive and evaluate the viability of different types of ferry service for waterfront neighborhoods and regions of New York City. It will look beyond NYC Ferry and include opportunities for both public and private ferry service. As part of the Vision, NYCEDC will comprehensively evaluate new sites by reviewing key planning data and engaging with communities to understand their core needs. Where ferry service has potential, the Vision will consider multiple service types including full-time, part-time, and seasonal service options – as both public and privately operated services. As part of a regional coordination effort among ferry operators and with an eye towards sustainability, the Vision will establish priorities for infrastructure development including key vessel charging needs. Taken together, the Vision will be a guide for the ongoing support of passenger transit across New York’s waters.

For more information about these plans, visit edc.nyc/project/nycferry.

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn