NYC’s new ferry system is set to open May 1 with new routes

Many more ferry lines floating passengers between Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens will join the existing East River Ferry this summer, in a system which will be called the NYC Ferry, according to Mayor De Blasio, who spoke Thursday morning in Queens.

First up, on May 1 will be the Rockaway route, which will include stops in Rockaway, Sunset Park and Wall Street.

In June, a South Brooklyn line is expected to be ready to go, with stops in Bay Ridge, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo and Wall Street.

Citywide Ferry is now named @NYCferry! Service will launch May 1st with Rockaway & existing East River Route. pic.twitter.com/ttZKiUArTG

— NYCEDC (@NYCEDC) April 6, 2017

Later in the summer, routes connecting Queens and the city, the Lower East Side and Midtown and the Upper East Side and Midtown will open as well.

The new ferries will be an upgrade over those currently running in the East River. The new boats will include concession stands with food and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, modern air conditioning and heating, outlets for charging and free WiFi.

The price will be $2.75, the same as a subway or bus ticket.

The new routes are expected to aid city transportation, both in taking some of the strain off the subway system, but also in connecting public transportation to neighborhoods that are far away and ill-served by the subway, according to the city.