For people living near or working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, commuting is an ordeal. That changes with the latest expansion of NYC Ferry service.

"It's a great alternative to get to work while being outside as opposed to the subway," one rider said.

QUICK FACTS

The new ferry stop, which opened Monday, is part of the Astoria route that runs from Astoria to Wall Street, with stops at:

  • Roosevelt Island
  • Long Island City
  • 34th Street in Manhattan
  • and now the Navy Yard

The fare for the ferry is the same as the subway: $2.75.

Riders still can't use their MetroCards on the ferry system. The city's Economic Development Corporation, which runs the ferry, says it plans to meet with the state-run MTA about this in a few days.

"We are in conversations with them," said city's Economic Development Corporation CEO James Patchett. "It's obviously a financial consideration as well, but we understand that people want to be able to use their MetroCard."

This is the sixth time the city has expanded ferry service after its original launch two years ago.

The city is planning more expansions of its ferry service:

Staten Island in 2020

Coney Island in 2021

A new landing in Throgs Neck in the Bronx is also scheduled for 2021.

A GROWING BROOKLYN NAVY YARD

With this neighborhood growing and the Brooklyn Navy Yard itself growing into a manufacturing and innovation hub, the city says expanding ferry service here is important since the nearest subway stations are several long blocks away.

"We are thrilled the ferry is opening and allowing people from all over the city to get here and participate in the renaissance that is happening here," said Bill Rudin, a co-developer for the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Nine thousand people already work at the Navy Yard. This fall, the Wegman's grocery chain will open its first city location in the yard, and WeWork is building a major hub at the Navy Yard.

"This is a key element of connectivity that New York needs," said Sebastian Gunningham, the vice chair of the We Company. "We are happy to have these docks are here and we think it's going to be a real impact on the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the area in general."

People who live and work in the neighborhood agree.

"It's good for me," said one rider who called it a nice alternative to the subway. "It's going to cut my commute in half, so that's a positive."

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