Residents of the Northeast Bronx have some of the longest commute times in all of New York City.  Many of our neighborhoods are recognized transit deserts, and bus service is often minimal or underfunded. For years, our neighborhoods have pleaded for better transportation options so that residents can spend more time at home with their friends and families rather than lost in their commutes or: being seriously delayed on their way home. 

Earlier this year, the NYC Ferry Service finally began to serve our borough.  Unfortunately, only one site was selected, in Soundview and while the site is surely needed, it doesn’t service our area.  Our area has one of the largest expanses of waterfront in the city, and there are several other areas  that could serve our neighborhoods.

It is the belief of the undersigned that the site that can serve the most people would be Orchard Beach, which is geographically located between four neighborhoods and could serve many different communities.  As parking has been a problem in some communities that - have ferry service, this could be alleviated by the 5,800 spaces Orchard Beach already has; virtually all of these spots are empty except in the height of the summer season.   Finally, an earlier EDC study showed Orchard Beach was given the same “inadequate depths” designation as Soundview was given.  As Soundview became the first site, it seems likely this designation wouldn’t be an obstacle for Orchard Beach to advance.

We respectfully ask that the Mayor’s Office, the City Council and the NYC Economic Development Corporation further study a ferry service site from Orchard Beach and if feasible, expedite service to this location as soon as possible.