Page 22 - The Indian EYE 052926

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 29, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

New York Expands Ferry Network Ahead

of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Mamdani administration is rolling out the largest summer ferry schedule in city history as New York
prepares for millions of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a packed season of major events.

NEERAJ DHAR and holidays.
Both services will cost $12 per per-
New York, NY
son, while non-reserved seating will
he administration of Zohran remain available on standard Rocka-
Kwame Mamdani has an- way-Soundview ferries.
Tnounced the most extensive The city says demand for these
summer service expansion ever for services has grown sharply. In 2025,
NYC Ferry, unveiling additional ves- Rockaway Reserve sold nearly 30,000
sels, more frequent routes and special tickets and generated more than
beach-bound services ahead of what $360,000 in revenue, while Rockaway
officials expect will be one of the busi- Rocket sold over 17,000 tickets. Offi-
est summers in the city’s history. cials reported that average daily Rock-
The expanded 2026 summer fer- away Rocket sales increased 19 per-
ry schedule, which began this week cent compared with the previous year.
and will continue through Sept. 13, is NYCEDC Interim President and
part of a broader effort by City Hall to CEO Jeanny Pak said the expanded
strengthen transportation infrastruc- service would help both residents and
ture before the arrival of international tourists navigate the city more efficient-
visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ly during a crowded summer season.
Officials say the new schedule is de- The ferry initiative is closely tied to
signed to reduce wait times, improve broader transportation improvements
connections between boroughs and now underway across the city. The
support the growing popularity of fer- Mamdani administration has already
ry travel across the city. announced street redesigns near the
Mayor Mamdani described the Brooklyn Bridge, expanded bike infra-
expansion as part of a larger urban structure in Manhattan and new bus
mobility strategy tied to New York’s lanes connecting Queens to LaGuar-
preparations for global events and ris- dia Airport. Together, officials say, the
ing commuter demand. projects are intended to ease conges-
“The world is coming to New York tion and create alternative transit op-
City — and New York City is ready,” tions during the World Cup period.
the mayor said while launching the NYC Ferry Executive Director
new summer service. “We are invest- James Wong said the city is preparing
ing in the infrastructure that keeps this for an unusually intense convergence
city moving.” of tourism, sporting events and sea-
Alongside the service expansion, tem’s history. tors exploring and more economic ac- sonal travel.
the administration unveiled five spe- To accommodate expected de- tivity reaching communities across all “With the FIFA World Cup, Sail4th
cially wrapped NYC Ferry vessels mand, the city is increasing weekend five boroughs.” 250 and another busy beach season all
carrying World Cup-inspired artwork ferry trips, deploying larger vessels One of the most notable elements converging in summer 2026, visitors
representing the identity and diversity on heavily used routes and expanding of the summer plan is the return of res- will have plenty of opportunities to
of each of the city’s five boroughs. The high-frequency beach services. Of- ervable ferry services to the Rockaway explore New York Harbor alongside
ferries will operate across New York ficials say the goal is to provide fast- beaches. The city is bringing back both New Yorkers,” Wong said.
Harbor throughout the summer season. er and more reliable transportation the Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway The ferry system itself has become
The new schedule reflects growing during a summer expected to feature Rocket programs, which were highly a major component of the city’s pub-
pressure on the city’s transportation not only World Cup crowds but also popular during previous summers. lic transportation network. Operating
network as tourism, recreational trav- major events such as Sail4th 250 cele- Beginning May 23, passengers across 70 nautical miles with 38 vessels,
el and daily commuting continue to brations and July Fourth festivities. will once again be able to reserve seats six routes and 25 landings, NYC Ferry
rebound strongly. Ferry ridership has Deputy Mayor for Economic Jus- on select departures between Wall is now the largest passenger-only ferry
surged over the past two years, with tice Julie Su said the increase in ferry Street’s Pier 11 and Rockaway. Later fleet in the United States.
the East River route recently record- operations is also expected to stimu- in the summer, the Rockaway Rocket Brooklyn Borough President An-
ing its two busiest days ever, surpassing late economic activity across neighbor- will resume direct express service from tonio Reynoso said the expanded ferry
40,000 boardings in a single weekend. hoods in all five boroughs. Long Island City and Greenpoint to operations would allow more resi-
Last summer, NYC Ferry also set “We’re putting more vessels on the the beaches. The premium services dents to participate in World Cup-re-
records for daily, weekly and monthly water because this summer demands are aimed at reducing overcrowd- lated activities across the city while
ridership, with August 2025 becoming it,” she said. “More service means ing while improving convenience for improving everyday transit access for
the highest ridership month in the sys- more New Yorkers moving, more visi- beachgoers during peak weekends local communities.

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