A shuttle bus that famously carried drunken beach bums between Williamsburg and far-off sands in the Rockaway section of Queens won’t run this summer.
The halting of the Rockabus leaves a void that will likely be filled by competitor bus companies, sparing sun-and-fun-hungry hipsters from grueling, multi-transfer trips on city conveyances. One Rockabus regular we spoke to was apparently unaware of the other options out there.
“I had a couple of good times on that bus,” said Rachel Goldman of Bushwick, referring to Rockabus. “Now I will have to take the train, which takes forever.”
The Rockabus offered $15 round-trips with stops in Williamsburg, Grand Army Plaza, Rockaway Beach, and Jacob Riis Beach, the gateway to the remote shores of Fort Tilden Beach. Riders were invited to bring six packs aboard the school bus and got discounts from a Williamsburg beer store and a Queens surf shop for their trouble.
Rockabus owners Sam Morrill and Ryan Hefner posted a note on their website on Wednesday blaming the closure on a variety of setbacks, including Hurricane Sandy and increased regulations that limit the kind of vehicles they can use.
“Building Rockabus has been a learning process, to say the least,” they wrote. “And so, because of the aforementioned challenges, as well as in the interest of expanding and enhancing our service, we have decided to not run the Rockabus this summer.”
Morrill and Hefner vowed to get Rockabus running again in the future, but did not say when that would happen.
Alexis Van Lines, a dollar-van company, has run a route between Williamsburg and the Rockaways for 20 years, charging $6 each way. Owner Leroy Morrison did not return calls for comment and it is unclear if that service will run this summer.
Another, newer company called NYC Beach Bus also offers a $12 round trip, with stops in Williamsburg, Park Slope, Rockaway Beach, and Jacob Riis Beach and Sixpoint Beer and herbal energy drinks on board. The buses start running this weekend and will continue through Sept. 1.
NYC Beach Bus departs from Flatbush Avenue and Pacific Street in Park Slope Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. For reservations visit www.nycbeachbus.com. $9 one way, $12 round trip.
