NYC Ferry Launches New Service

Bytemark provides mobile ticketing for new ferry service.New York, New York (May 11, 2017) — Monday, May 1st marked the launch of the NYC Ferry service. The new ferry service has six lines and will connect Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx along the East River. Fare for the ferry will be $2.75—the same as a single-ride MTA fare.“For the first time in generations, our amazing New York Harbor is part of our city’s critical public transportation system – and for the price of a subway ride you can get to work and also explore New York City’s beautiful coastal communities much more directly,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We want to make things a little calmer, a little less stressful. And a ride on a ferry makes things a little nicer," de Blasio said.NYC Ferry’s new Rockaway route served about 11,000 riders during its first week of service, according to the city. The existing East River route, which was absorbed by NYC Ferry, served another 38,000, bringing total ridership to 49,000 for the first week of the new municipal ferry service, from Monday, May 1, through Sunday, May 7. Bytemark, Inc. the NYC based startup and developer of the popular New York Waterway mobile ticketing app also operates the mobile ticketing system for NYC Ferry. Ferry riders can download the new NYC Ferry App to purchase e-tickets, allowing for easy validation-and-go boarding, and get detailed maps and schedules, as well as real-time notifications and service alerts. The NYC Ferry App is live and available for download in both the Apple and Google Play stores.“We are proud to have partnered with Hornblower on this project and create a seamless transition from the original New York Waterway app to the new NYC Ferry app,” said Micah Bergdale, Bytemark CEO. “Bytemark employees enjoyed being part of the launch and joined street teams to interact directly with passengers. The feedback we have received is invaluable. Customers love the new Bytemark streamlined interface and clean aesthetics. We look forward to incorporating additional feedback into future releases.”A South Brooklyn ferry route is scheduled to go online in June, with an Astoria route following in August. The Soundview and Lower East Side routes will come sometime in 2018. The city expects NYC Ferry to eventually draw 4.6 million annual riders once all six routes are in service.