On Wednesday, September 30, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board of directors approved an increase in NYC Ferry fares from $4.50 to $5. The board also approved discounted tickets for middle school students. The fare hike will go into effect on Monday, October 19.
Along with the standard fare increase for one-way tickets, the cost of a 10-trip pass will rise from $29 to $30. Discounted ticket fares will increase from to $1.45 to $1.50. The EDC said higher fares are needed to raise the revenue for the continued growth of the city’s ferry system.
Ferry fares are heavily subsidized with an average per-rider contribution from the government of more than $8. The subsidy for the Staten Island Ferry is about $12. According to the EDC, NYC Ferry’s subsidy-per-trip is the lowest of all public passenger ferry systems in the United States.
NYC Ferry is operated by the Hornblower Ferries & Transportation via a contract that will expire in two years. It is a very popular means of getting to Rockaway during beach season. A 2024 survey reported that 65% of riders on the Rockaway route use the trip for reasons other than work or school.
When NYC Ferry began service in 2027, the one-way fare was $2.75, equal to a subway access. The last increase in the fare, also a 50-cent increase, occurred in 2024.
Photo by Artem Lozovtsov.
