NY Waterway so miscalculated the timing of the Queens West project that the ferry was opened almost a year before major Queens West construction began.
In a letter from Queens West to a ferry rider, it was pointed out that NY Waterway participated in a public bidding process and "acknowledged that there would be no operating subsidy... the contract also requires service during peak hours at a minimum." Suspending the ferry service would breach the current contract between the Port Authority of NY and NJ and NY Waterway. Queens West also mentioned that the PA is considering changing the lease. Will NY Waterway get more assistance? The PA is protected from public inquiries, including the Freedom of Information Act, so we may never know.
Many in the community are concerned with NY Waterway¹s latest money-saving scheme. The original ferry has been replaced with a smaller vessel (see photo). According to the captain, the small ferry is potentially unsafe when passengers board or disembark on the Manhattan side. This captain, who refused to pilot the new boat, was fired. Watch your step, you may get dropped off in the East River.
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Last Update: Dec 1996