Thanks For Riding With Us New York!
We have reached our 1 Million rider goal since launching the new NYC Ferry system earlier this Spring. A quick 86 days later, and we’re celebrating our millionth rider – approximately a month before we expected. The East River, South Brooklyn and Rockaway routes are in full swing, with Astoria launching later this month and two new routes planned for next year – the Soundview Route will connect the Bronx to our system and the Lower East Side Route will connect stops along the east side of Manhattan.
We kicked off the morning of the Wednesday, July 26, our Million Rider Day, with an Instagram promotion on board. We celebrated with our riders – and they sure know how to have fun.
To get the festivities going on board all NYC Ferry boats, New Stand, our onboard concessions partner, offered ½ off all brew beverages, including cold-brew coffee, throughout the day for all riders.
At 10:30am, we headed over to Hunter’s Point South in Long Island City, Queens – a stop on our East River Route – for a Mayoral Press Conference to celebrate this momentous milestone. Mayor Bill de Blasio provided some complimentary remarks as he celebrated our milestone with us. (See live Facebook Video HERE)
Also announced by Mayor de Blasio during the press conference, was our much anticipated Astoria Launch date. The new route has officially been announced to launch August 29, 2017 and will include the following stops: Astoria, Roosevelt Island, Long Island City – Gantry State Park, East 34th St., and Wall St./Pier 11.
A number of officials were present for the press conference: Ms. Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Resident Association, Richard Khuzami, President of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, Florence Koulouris, District Manager of Community Board 1, Debbie Markell, District Manager of Community Board 2, Denise Keehan Smith, Chairperson of Community Board 2, and Liz Lusskin, President of the LIC Partnership. Also in attendance was NYCEDC’s President James Patchett, NYC Ferry Vice-President Cameron Clark, and the Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, along with Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Costa Constantinides.
All in all, we couldn’t have reached this milestone without the support of the communities we serve and the million riders who chose NYC Ferry as their primary transportation solution to Work. Live. Play.
Thanks again for the support New York! We appreciate you riding with us!