Update, 5/21/15: To discuss the possible Astoria ferry, Councilman Costa Constantinides will be hosting a neighborhood meeting on June 4th, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Astoria. The meeting is a place for neighborhood residents to offer input into the proposed plan. There will also be a presentation by the New York City Economic Development Coalition, which will describe the organizations Hallet’s Point ferry dock plans. 

 

Looks like Astoria is getting its very own ferry service.

 

In his State of the City address, Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed his plans for ferry service to the five boroughs. The expansion serves the purpose of improving transportation within New York City (something that clearly needs work – anyone else stuck on the trains forever the past few days? Come on now.)

 

The ferries are expected to take off in 2017, and will service  Astoria, southern Brooklyn, the Lower East Side, Soundview in The Bronx and Rockaway Beach. Current plans state that a ferry ride will cost the same as a train ride – but two years is quite a long time in terms of how quickly MTA fares have been rising. We’re guessing somewhere around $3.00 by that time?

 

The current plans have an estimated cost of $55 million – and once the money has been secured, further plans will be developed for ferry service to State Island.

 

Certain routes have previously been utilized by ferry service – such as the Roackaway Beach route, which was abruptly shut down in October due to budget restraints – much to the dismay of local residents.

 

The Astoria based ferry will have a dock in the new Astoria Cove Development, which will be funded by Queensborough President Melinda Katz, and Councilman Costa Constantinides.