HELL'S KITCHEN — Wall Streeters living on the Far West Side can now get to work by boat — and there are free rides this week.
New York Water Taxi launched a new rush-hour commuter ferry Monday morning, connecting Hudson River Park's Pier 84, at West 44th Street, to Brookfield Place in Battery Park City and giving residents of the West Side's new developments a water link to Downtown's offices. Commuters can ride the ferry for free this week.
"We're launching the West Side commuter ferry in response to the mass amount of development that is happening along the Far West Side," said Helena Durst, president of New York Water Taxi. "We see that the Far West Side is transit-starved, and we'd like to provide options for better transportation."
Three round-trip ferries will launch from the Brookfield Place starting each weekday at 7:40 a.m. and again starting at 4:45 p.m. A full schedule is available on the ferry service's website.
Tickets for the ferry will be $4.50 for a single ride and $8.00 for a round trip starting next Monday. New York Water Taxi plans to eventually offer a bulk discount for riders who take the ferry every day.
The Far West Side has few transit options, though that will soon change with the opening of the 7 train extension to West 34th Street and 11th Avenue later this year. The area is home to several major new developments that will draw thousands of new residents, including Hudson Yards, which is now under construction.
"It's always a pleasure and a thrill to have transportation options on the Far West Side," Community Board 4 chairwoman Christine Berthet said.
