Southern Brooklyn ferry service extended through 2014

It’s more ferry good news.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile announced that SeaStreak ferry service from the 58^th Street Pier to lower Manhattan will be extended through January, 2014, making commutes for straphangers easier in the wake of the 14-month Montague Tube closure, which carries the R train underneath the East River.

“Just as we expected, this ferry service has been wildly popular. I encourage people to skip the subway crowds and use the ferry which will get you to Wall Street in 15 minutes for just $2!” Gentile said.

“My staff and I have been working very hard to get the word out about this great service,” he went on. “Today, I thank the mayor, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and SeaStreak for recognizing this ferry service as a valuable alternative to commuters affected by the R train tunnel closure and working with me to extend it through 2014.”

The Sunset Park stop was added on August 5 to Rockaway to Manhattan ferry service, launched after Superstorm Sandy devastated train connections between the beachfront neighborhood and Manhattan. It was Superstorm Sandy that also damaged the Montague Tube, necessitating the current closure.

State Senator Marty Golden also praised the news. “For years, ferry service has been a top priority for me.  This is not a permanent solution, but a step in the right direction, and will continue to provide an appropriate alternative while the R train remains under construction,” he said. “I will continue to lobby for a permanent ferry for all of our residents, and I ask all members of the community to help increase ridership by telling their friends, neighbors, and family that the ferry to Manhattan continues!”