NYC Ferry Adds Record Summer Service

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said on May 19 that New York City had launched the 2026 summer NYC Ferry schedule with the most service in the system’s history. The city said the changes began this week and include more vessels, more trips on high-demand routes and reservable seats on beach-bound service. NYC Ferry said the summer schedule took effect on Monday, May 18. The added service will run through Sept. 13, according to the Mayor’s Office. ### When did the new summer ferry schedule start? Monday, May 18, was the first day of the 2026 summer schedule, according to NYC Ferry’s service update. The operator said the new schedule changes weekday afternoon departures on the East River route and shifts some weekend service patterns across the system. May 19 was the date Mamdani and New York City Economic Development Corporation Interim President and CEO Jeanny Pak formally announced the rollout. The Mayor’s Office said the city was adding service ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and an expected increase in summer travel. ### What is actually changing for riders this summer? NYC Ferry said the summer plan adds more frequent connections across the city and larger vessels on high-demand routes during peak travel periods. The Mayor’s Office said the city is adding vessels and trips across busy lines to reduce waits for commuters, visitors and recreational riders. Weekend service is changing on several routes. NYC Ferry said the East River line will operate as two separate weekend routes, while the South Brooklyn route will extend to Sunset Park/BAT and Bay Ridge on weekends and stop serving Governors Island directly during that period. On weekends, Governors Island will instead be served by a dedicated Governors Island-Pier 11 shuttle operating from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to NYC Ferry. The operator also said some Rockaway-Soundview trips will run only between Wall Street/Pier 11 and Rockaway, while all-stop departures between Ferry Point Park and Rockaway will run about every 50 minutes. ### How much more beach service is New York adding? NYC Ferry said departures to and from Rockaway will run every 25 minutes on summer weekends for Wall Street/Pier 11 and Sunset Park/BAT. The operator said crews will manage vessel capacity on busy weekends to make sure riders can board at each landing. The Mayor’s Office said Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket service are returning this summer. The city said the expanded beach service is meant to connect New Yorkers and visitors to the city’s beaches during what officials described as one of the busiest summers in city history. ### What are reservable seats, and what do they cost? May 23 is the start date for Rockaway Reserve tickets, according to NYC Ferry. The operator said riders can buy those tickets through Sept. 13 for select Rockaway-Soundview departures on summer weekends and holidays. NYC Ferry priced Rockaway Reserve tickets at $12 per passenger and said they can be purchased up to two weeks in advance. Reserve tickets this year will be offered only at Wall Street/Pier 11 and Rockaway, the operator said. For riders without a reserve ticket, NYC Ferry said regular boarding remains first-come, first-served. The operator said some seats will be held open at intermediate landings so riders paying the regular $4.50 fare, the $2.90 ten-trip rate or the $1.35 discounted fare can still board along the route. ### Why is the city tying this to the World Cup? The Mayor’s Office said the service increase comes as New York prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and an expected influx of visitors. Mamdani said in a statement that “the world is coming to New York City,” while Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said the city was putting more vessels on the water because “this summer demands it.” Executive Director of NYC Ferry James Wong said the World Cup, Sail4th 250 and beach season would all converge in summer 2026. The city also unveiled five custom-wrapped ferry vessels with World Cup-inspired designs representing the five boroughs, and said those boats would remain in service through the end of the summer. Sept. 13 is the scheduled end date for the expanded summer service and the Rockaway Reserve program, according to NYC Ferry and the Mayor’s Office. Riders can find the full route schedules, holiday service changes for May 25 and June 19, and reservation details through NYC Ferry’s published summer schedule and Rockaway Reserve notices. (nyc.gov)