The current ferry service connecting Queens’ most geographically isolated communities to other boroughs is set to expire this October
Goldfeder: Permanent ferry service would rejuvenate local economy and offer faster transit alternatives
In an effort to keep the Rockaway Ferry Service, set to expire in October, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D- Rockaway Beach) sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Patrick J. Foye to review the possibility of allocating funding to create permanent ferry service for the communities of southern Queens and Rockaway. The Rockaway ferry would stimulate job creation and offer an efficient and dependable means of travel, as well as manageable commute times to Brooklyn and Manhattan.
“Our families live in the shadows of JFK airport and as good neighbors, I’m asking the Port Authority to consider supporting this critical service,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “The ferry service is not a luxury, but a necessity for our families and small businesses. It became evident after Sandy that we need to increase public transit options and improve our transportation infrastructure for our geographically isolated communities in Southern Queens and Rockaway."
In his letter to Port Authority NY/NJ Executive Director, Patrick Foye, Goldfeder stated funding to make the Rockaway Ferry Service permanent would not only pave the way for a speedy Sandy recovery for families still struggling, but will also stimulate our economy, create hundreds of jobs for local residents and significantly increase pedestrian traffic to rejuvenate small businesses and allow our communities to flourish.
Assemblyman Goldfeder has made transportation development for Queens' families a top priority and collected over 7,500 signatures from residents in his online petition to support the ferry service. The petition cited keeping the ferry service to effectively utilize New York City’s waterfront transportation and provide residents an alternative evacuation route in the event of future storms.
¨Like every other borough in the city, we deserve an affordable, efficient and reliable means of transportation,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. ¨I will continue to work with the community and I strongly urge the Port Authority to explore the option of funding the ferry service to support our struggling neighborhoods.”
It is of paramount importance that we continue to assist our local families and small businesses and allow our communities to fully recover and rebuild. I have met with your staff on multiple occasions to discuss the inclusion of ferry access to JFK and although that conversation is ongoing, at this juncture we need your immediate support to maintain the current service, Goldfeder concluded in his letter to Port Authority NY/NJ Executive Director, Patrick Foye.
The ferry, set to expire in October is currently located at Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway, Queens and costs $3.50 fare each way with free transfers to Midtown Manhattan.
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August 2, 2014
Patrick J. Foye, Executive Director
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Corporate Offices
225 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
Dear Mr. Foye:
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to urge you to investigate the possibility of allocating funding to create permanent ferry service to assist the communities of southern Queens and Rockaway. The current service, set to expire in the fall, provides safe, reliable and quick transportation to and from the most geographically isolated communities in New York State.
Funding to keep the Rockaway Ferry Service permanent would not only pave the way for a speedy Sandy recovery for families still struggling, but will also stimulate our economy, create hundreds of jobs for local residents and significantly increase pedestrian traffic to rejuvenate small businesses and allow our communities to flourish.
The ferry service is not a luxury, but a necessity for our families and small businesses. Presently, the ferry provides residents with a safe, affordable and expedient way to access other parts city and a 45 minute commute to downtown Manhattan. The current public transit infrastructure of Queens is hardly capable of servicing the present population, and does not provide room for future growth. The creation of enhanced and sustainable waterfront transportation is not only convenient, but also crucial for our families and can create a robust evacuation route in the event of a future disaster.
It is of paramount importance that we continue to assist our local families and small businesses and allow our communities to fully recover and rebuild. I have met with your staff on multiple occasions to discuss the inclusion of ferry access to JFK and although that conversation is ongoing, at this juncture we need your immediate support to maintain the current service.
On behalf of every community located in the shadows of JFK airport, I respectfully request that you explore every possible funding source within the Port Authority to assist in making the Rockaway Ferry Service permanent. If you have any questions please feel free to call me to discuss.
Thank you for your prompt attention and consideration.
Sincerely,
Phil Goldfeder
Member of Assembly
23rd District
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