Two New York City Council members have introduced legislation to restore ferry service between Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Council Members Justin Brannan and Kamillah Hanks are co-sponsoring a bill, Intro. 1306, that would connect Bay Ridge to the St. George terminal in Staten Island, expanding access to the city’s East River ferry network.
The lawmakers say linking Staten Island to the broader NYC Ferry network would “open up seamless access to Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx via water transit.”
In a joint statement, Brannan and Hanks said the proposed route would likely use existing infrastructure, including the American Veterans Memorial Pier at 69th Street and the St. George ferry terminal.
“This bill brings us one step closer to reestablishing that vital link — restoring a smarter, faster and more resilient option for commuters and families who deserve better than traffic jams and endless bus transfers,” Hanks said.
The 69th Street ferry, which first began carrying passengers in 1912, has been out of service since 1964, just four days after the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened. The pols publicly proposed restoring the service as early as last year. In 2024, they wrote a letter to Mayor Eric Adams urging the restoration of ferry service and the addition of a direct stop in Brooklyn.
“This isn’t a new idea,” Brannan said. “It’s a return to something that always made sense. Reestablishing the St. George-Bay Ridge ferry restores a direct, logical connection that should have never been lost.”
The proposal also aims to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while supporting economic activity in both boroughs.
Brannan and Hanks hope to see their vision of a “blue subway” become a reality. In 2023, Brannan also worked with the city’s Economic Development Corporation to establish an express ferry route between Bay Ridge and Wall Street.
“The harbor becomes a true transit corridor,” Brannan said. “Not just for tourists or weekend riders, but for working New Yorkers who need real alternatives. It’s time we made smart use of our harbor again.”
