A new direct NYC Ferry route will pick up beachgoers in Manhattan and take them directly to the Rockaways.
This is good news for Leyla Yrala, co-owner of a cevichería on Beach 97.
“The Ferry is definitely a ‘plus’ for the Rockway community, all businesses are positively affected, hence the flow of people arriving in the summer,” said Yrala.
The ticket to take the Ferry, the Rockaway Rocket, costs eight dollars. It will take passengers from Pier 11/Wall St. in lower Manhattan to the ferry stop between Beach 108th Street on Beach Channel Drive. This route will be approximately one hour.
This ferry will transport passengers on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays starting this weekend until September 11.
The Ferry posted a message on social networks promoting the new service.
🌊 New Service Alert 🌊 NYC Ferry will offer express service to Rockaway starting July 23rd!
➡️ Head to https://t.co/e8Tk7d40se to reserve your spot today!
#nyc #nycferry #rockawayrocket #rockawaybeach pic.twitter.com/H7zrqvtL6M— NYC Ferry (@NYCferry) July 20, 2022
“We are ready to give everything and be part of the community, which is very nice,” said Verónica Gonzales, an employee of a greengrocer.
According to Gonzales, who has been working in this establishment for more than five years and other businesses in the area, the new transportation comes at a time when sales in the establishments along the boardwalk have been affected during this heat wave.
They say that the closure of the beach due to shark sightings on at least two occasions has reduced the number of bathers who come to the Rockaways.
“There are always sharks, this is their home, you understand me, as they are not interested in you, that is a way to continue affecting businesses that are small, you understand me,” added Gonzales.
“It has definitely affected us, because despite the heat we were waiting for, well, the number of people has dropped quite a bit and obviously it’s because of all this fear-mongering about sharks,” Yrala said.
If you want to take the Ferry to enjoy these beaches you can buy the tickets at the Ferry station or you can visit the Ferry.nyc website.
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