Letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx - Urges Funding New East River Ferry Landings
Press Release
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support the New York City Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) application to modernize two ferry docks: the Hunter's Point South landing in Queens, serving the East River Ferry, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 landing, serving the Governors Island Ferry. EDC's proposed project seeks to replace the single-boat barges with new barges capable of receiving two boats at once. Schumer is urging the DOT to support this project so that New York City's ferry systems are made more efficient and continue supporting long-term economic development in Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods by providing new transit options to commuters.
"Hunter's Point and Brooklyn Bridge Park are undergoing major development projects and that's why it is so important to make sure that our rapidly-growing East River Ferry system can meet the needs of these new riders," said Schumer. "New York City's ferry system is a proven success and with its growing popularity, the Department of Transportation should support plans for these two updated ferry landings. More modern ferry landings at Hunter's Point and Brooklyn Bridge Park will ensure that our ferry systems are reliable and made more efficient."
The East River Ferry pilot program began in June of 2011 and has served over 2 million riders. The East River Ferry currently connects Manhattan with Long Island City, Brooklyn, and Governors Island and can transport nearly 150 passengers per trip.
The East River Ferry's Hunter's Point South landing in Queens is in poor condition. Due to major development in the area, the landing is anticipated to be the location of highest ridership growth on the East River Ferry. The existing landing at Hunter's Point South includes only a single-boat barge. The existing Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 landing is also a single-boat barge. The landing is inefficient for loading high numbers of riders to Governors Island.
Schumer today urged the DOT to support NYC EDC's application to update the landings at Hunter's Point South and Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6. In his letter, Schumer explained that New York City's ferry systems are critical in the wake of major weather events, like Superstorm Sandy. Two days after the storm, the East River Ferry was able to serve double its standard weekday ridership. Schumer made the case that, in the face of emergencies, ferry landings provide assets for evacuation. Schumer today explained that NYC EDC's proposed project is critical to improve New York City's transportation efficiency, support activation of growing neighborhoods of Hunter's Point South and Brooklyn Heights and provide emergency capability at these locations.
A copy of Schumer's letter is below:
The Honorable Anthony Foxx
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary Foxx,
I am writing in support of New York City's application for the Federal Transit Administration's Passenger Ferry Grant Program to modernize two ferry landings: the Hunter's Point South (HPS) landing in Queens servicing the East River Ferry system and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 (BBP P6) landing in Brooklyn servicing the Governors Island Ferry system. The success of these two ferry systems demonstrates the growing demand for ferry service, and the proposed ferry landing modernization project will continue to invest in these important transportation assets. The proposed project seeks to replace single-boat barges with barges capable of receiving two boats at once and includes all equipment necessary for ferry service.
The East River Ferry is an excellent example of the recent demand for ferry transit, serving over two million riders in less than two years of service and experiencing sustained growth of 25% from the first year to the second year. The existing HPS landing is in poor condition and inadequately designed for its current use on the East River Ferry system. HPS is anticipated to be the location of highest ridership growth on the East River Ferry due to major development plans in the area, and the state of the existing ferry landing is anticipated to create a significant bottleneck on the East River Ferry network. Reliability and consistency of service are key factors for success of this commuter ferry service, and a modernized landing at HPS is critical to maintaining the success of the entire ferry service.
The BBP P6 landing in Brooklyn is heavily congested during periods of service, and the single-boat barge is inadequate and inefficient for loading high numbers of riders to Governors Island. Moreover, the BBP P6 landing is not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. As planned park and residential development continue to draw more crowds to Brooklyn Bridge Park, it is imperative that the existing Governors Island Ferry service is made more efficient.
In addition to waterfront activation and economic development opportunities that this project would provide, the experience of Hurricane Sandy showed a strong indication of the resiliency of ferry transit in the wake of major weather events. At a time when cross-river subways were stopped and bridges were paralyzed with traffic, the East River Ferry was able to serve double its standard weekday ridership just two days after the storm. In the face of emergencies, ferry landings provide assets for evacuation, timely remobilization essential to maintaining a functional local economy, as well as post-storm platforms for recovery efforts.
The proposed ferry landing modernization project will fill both daily and emergency transit gaps. Investment in ferry infrastructure will improve transportation efficiency, support activation of growing neighborhoods of Hunter's Point South and Brooklyn Heights, and provide emergency capability at these locations strengthening the City's resilience to future events. I strongly urge your support for this critical project.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer
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