Courtesy of NYCEDC
According to the City, the two shuttle routes will connect the ferry terminal at Beach 108th Street with Beach 35th Street to the east, and Beach 169th Street to the west.
By Forum Staff
The free bus service that will connect Rockaway residents with the Citywide Ferry will feature two routes spanning four miles, connecting the ferry terminal at Beach 108th Street with: Beach 35th Street to the east, and Beach 169th Street to the west, the City Economic Development Corporation announced last week.
According to the EDC, the Rockaway Shuttle routes were developed based on a year-long community engagement effort, which included community board meetings, elected-official-led town halls, and civic organization events. The shuttle stops, which are currently under final review by the Department of Transportation, are in close proximity to densely populated areas and City Housing Authority developments, the agency added.
“The announcement about the ferry service returning to the Rockaways in 2017 was exciting news for the transit-starved peninsula, but the original shuttle proposal ending at Beach 65th Street prevented many east end residents from seeing it as a viable option,” said City Councilmanr Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton). “Thankfully, the extension announced today will allow residents as far east as Beach 35th Street to utilize the ferry service, which will help alleviate the crowded A train and improve transportation access for the majority of peninsula residents. I’d like to thank Mayor de Blasio, EDC President and CEO Torres-Springer and Hornblower for improving the shuttle service for the better of the Rockaways.”
The shuttle will take roughly 25 minutes to travel from the ferry landing to either the eastbound or westbound terminus, EDC noted. Each route includes six stops, which will be located at existing bus stops.
“Commuters and visitors alike will soon have an accessible transit option to and from the Rockaways,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “The Rockaway Shuttle routes were designed in large part by a robust, year-long engagement with the community – including Community Board 14 and Rockaway Peninsula civic leaders – and we thank them for their time, commitment and insights. The new free Rockaway Shuttle will help enhance equitable access to and from neighborhoods at both ends of the peninsula to the long-awaited Citywide Ferry Service.”
Eastbound stops:
Ferry Terminal: Beach Channel Dr. & Beach 108th
Stop 2: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach. 86th St
Stop 3: Beach Channel Drive & Beach. 67th
Stop 4: Beach Channel Drive & Beach 54th St
Stop 5: Beach Channel Drive & Beach 41st St
Bus Terminus: Beach Channel Drive & Beach 35th St
Westbound stops:
Ferry Terminal: Beach Channel Drive & Beach 108th
Stop 2: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 127th St
Stop 3: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 135th St
Stop 4: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 149th St
Stop 5: Jacob Riis Park Road & Bath House
Terminus: Rockaway Point Blvd & Beach 169th St (Weekday Only)*
Additionally, in conjunction with the shuttle service, EDC announced that a new parking lot will also open in summer 2017 at Beach Channel Drive & Beach 108th Street.
“It is with great optimism that I work with the NYC EDC on resolving the decades old issue of the need to improve transportation in Rockaway by providing a credible, full-time ferry service. I know my constituents are counting on this service for occupational and economic reasons,” added State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach).
The Citywide Ferry Service is set to launch in summer 2017.
