New York Water Taxi Queens/Brooklyn Service Grounded
In case anyone missed this as I did: The New York Times reported last week that New York Water Taxi has suspended service on its East River routes. According to the firm's web site, these stops include Hunters Point, Queens, Williamsburg and Dumbo with East 34th Street and Wall Street being destinations. The web site says that service will return in the Spring. According to the article:
"To lure water taxis, the developer agreed to make monthly payments to subsidize the service for the residents, said Tom Fox, president of New York Water Taxi. Only about 60 residents regularly ride the boats, even with the subsidy, their tickets do not cover the rising fuel costs and other expenses., Mr. Fox said. We've been losing money for too long now, Mr. Fox said, adding that his fuel costs had risen by $1 a gallon or about 30%, since last winter".This dosn't necessarily sound to me like a situation that will be rectified by the spring. In fact, Mr. Fox had more dire pronouncements to make in The Brooklyn Paper, when complaining about the lack of promised ferry subsidies by the city.
"We've been led to believe that the city is ready, willing and able to assist us, but we're still waiting for them to decide what role they want to play in supporting waterborne transportation. We can't go it alone anymore, We've been shouldering it ourselves for a long time and the weight has become more than we can bear".
If the service doesn't return, I would consider it to be a significant negative, particularly for Hunters Point, which I am more familiar with. There are many new developments coming on line in the area and ferry service seemed to be a very attractive amenity, despite very easy subway access on the 7 train at Vernon/Jackson Avenues. The firm's Water Taxi Beach outdoor bar and beach was a real attraction for Hunters Point and a reason for people to come over from Manhattan for a visit. It really gave the sense that something new and special was happening on the Queen's waterfront. Let us hope that it and the ferry service will return come spring time.
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