THE ROCKAWAYS — A new ferry is pulling into the Rockaways to help residents get to work in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
The ferry service, launching early Monday morning, will shuttle Rockaways residents to Wall Street and East 34th Street — easing a commute that has been difficult since the hurricane knocked out subway service and devastated the south Queens community.
The ferries will leave eight times each weekday from Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive, stopping at Pier 11 on Wall Street 50 minutes later and at East 34th Street 25 minutes after that. The ride will cost $2 each way.
“Thanks to quick work by Seastreak and the Economic Development Corporation, residents of the Rockaways will now have an affordable and reliable way to get to and from Manhattan,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.
“Ferry service is one of the many ways the city is helping these New Yorkers begin the enormous work of recovery from Hurricane Sandy.”
Beginning Monday, the ferry will depart the Rockaways at 5:45 a.m., 6:35 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 9:20 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:55 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
The ferry will return from East 34th Street at 2:45 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and will leave from Pier 11 at 6:35 a.m., 7:25 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 3:05 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:35 p.m., 6:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.
Once subway service to the Rockaways resumes, the ferry will be discontinued, officials said.