Hello friends of the Route G Loop bus,
For the past six months, we have been enjoying improved service in Beacon with the addition of Sunday service. Please continue to spread the word to friends, family, and visitors that the Beacon Loop Bus is the best way to get around the city.
Now we have a new call to action to save the ferry! As you have demonstrated a commitment to public transportation, you likely want to know more about the ferry's current status. As you might have heard, the ferry service between Newburgh and Beacon has been suspended and canceled by the MTA. Last week, a considerable group of people rallied in Newburgh and received the support of elected officials and key stakeholders.
A group is now forming to restore this essential service. There are upcoming events that you'll want to attend. Here's three actions you can take:
- Tomorrow! Will be a community Zoom meeting: Monday, July 21st at 8 pm (register in advance link).
- On Tuesday, July 29th at 6:30 pm, there will be a Beacon Rally at 1 Ferry Plaza and Beekman Street, Beacon, NY 10281. (There's a bus that arrives at the train station at 6:07 pm.)
- On Wednesday, July 30th, at 9 am, MTA supporters are attending the MTA Board meeting in New York City. You can attend in person at 2 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, NY, or comment online via this page.
If you're not familiar with the movement to restore the ferry, here is the information they provided:
RESTORE FERRY SERVICE
Don't Let Beacon Become a Parking Lot
Follow @newburgh_beacon_ferry on Instagram for the latest information
Neighbors in Beacon and Dutchess County are already managing parking, tourism, and growth pressures. Restoring the ferry is a practical, immediate
way to reduce congestion, manage regional growth, and protect quality of life on the east side of the river.
Don't Let Beacon Become a Parking Lot
In early 2025, the MTA suspended the Newburgh–Beacon Ferry, citing dock damage and low ridership. Despite an offer from the operator to repair the Beacon dock at no cost to taxpayers, service was never restored. The result? More traffic, less access, and growing frustration in Beacon and beyond. With more than 1,000 new housing units in the development/approved pipeline just across the river, those cars are coming our way.
The Beacon Station Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plan has long included ferry access as a central feature. State and local planning documents describe the ferry as a keyway to relieve bridge traffic, reduce parking demand, and connect to Beacon’s downtown. Cutting the ferry service directly contradicts the TOD vision for a walkable, multimodal, climate-smart future.
Eliminating Ferry Service Makes Zero Sense
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE:
- Traffic Congestion: The Newburgh–Beacon Bridge saw 28.49 million crossings in 2024—the highest ever
recorded. - Relieve Beacon Station parking: The lot is nearing capacity – think about what that means for you!
- Manage Main Street tourism strain: Weekend and seasonal tourism surges overwhelm Beacon’s walkable
core - Shift cars to Newburgh: The ferry enables visitors and commuters to park in Newburgh while accessing
Beacon without driving. Win/Win. - More Traffic Coming: 1,000+ new housing units are in the development pipeline west of the river. The
ferry helps Beacon streets avoid becoming the only gateway. - Support state climate goals: The ferry reduces car dependency and bridge traffic, aligning with New York’s
Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
"Beacon’s charm is its walkability and livability. Without the ferry, we risk turning our city into a parking lot."
What You Can Do/ Call to Action:
- Publicly support ferry restoration NOW – tell all elected officials this is NON-NEGOTIABLE
- Demand that ferry access to Beacon is included in all Beacon TOD and Metro-North plans
- Partner with neighbors to the West to develop joint strategies for regional traffic, tourism, and emissions
reduction
Thank you all so much for your continued support for transportation! See you at the rally!
-Carolyn Bennett Glauda