Builds off Mayor Adams’ NYC Ferry Forward Plan to Build a More Equitable, Accessible, and Financially Sustainable Ferry System
New Operating Agreement Will Deliver Improved Ridership Experiences, Expanded Accessibility and Tech Features, Increased Transparency and Oversight of the NYC Ferry System, and Further Investment of NYC Ferry as a Maritime Career Pipeline
NEW YORK, NY— a year since the announcement of Mayor Eric Adams’ “NYC Ferry Forwardâ€Â vision for a more equitable, accessible, and fiscally sustainable citywide ferry system, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the procurement of a new NYC Ferry operating contract with Hornblower Group. Selecting an operator through a competitive process and negotiating a new contract is a key component of the NYC Ferry Forward plan.
Over the last year, the NYC Ferry Forward plan has delivered impressive results:
Building on this track record, and after a competitive procurement process, NYCEDC selected Hornblower Group, one of the leading global maritime transportation and ferry companies, due to its robust proposal that will further NYC Ferry’s position as the modern transportation system that riders want. This contract includes: major business improvements, including a framework to partner with a corporate name sponsor to re-brand the system and further drive down the subsidy, upgraded ridership experiences like free onboard Wi-Fi, and behind-the-scenes system upgrades to increase transparency and efficiency. The new contract will have an initial five-year term with two three-year expansion options, furthering the system to remain a permanent fixture of the New York City landscape.
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“We are a five-borough administration, and we want all New Yorkers to get where they want to go as efficiently as possible, especially when using transportation like our ferry system,â€Â said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Last year, we announced the ‘Ferry Forward’ plan to make our ferry system more equitable, accessible, and financially sustainable. And now, we’re delivering on our commitment with upgrades like free onboard WiFi, better real-time updates for passengers, expanded in-app language services, and greater accessibility. Without question, this contract marks a new chapter in our ferry system.â€Â
“From day one, the goal for the NYC Ferry system was to provide New Yorkers with a reliable, safe service and to create a new form of public transit that is equitable, accessible and financially sustainable,â€Â said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development & Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Today's announcement is one more step towards this goal. Under the Mayor's leadership and in close collaboration with Hornblower, I look forward to breaking more ridership records and further strengthening the overall ferry system in the months and years to come.â€ÂÂ
“Thanks to Mayor Adams’ leadership and the Ferry Forward Plan, ridership is at an all-time high while access and affordability have been enhanced,â€Â said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “By partnering with Hornblower, we will bring NYC Ferry to its next phase with even more onboard amenities, while continuing to bring down costs and increase revenue.â€ÂÂ
Key highlights from the new agreement include:
Building a More Financially Sustainable Ferry SystemÂ
Upgraded Ridership ExperienceÂ
Increasing Equity, Strengthening Communities, and Furthering the NYC Maritime Career PipelineÂ
Other highlights of Hornblower Group’s tech-forward and feature-rich approach will unlock important accessibility and behind-the-scenes upgrades that improve reliability across the system. Riders will see important accessibility upgrades, like schedule and stop information, in multiple formats and languages, and a new feature allowing riders to call or text to get real-time departure schedules. Under this next contract, riders with visual or hearing disabilities, or those without access to smart phones, will have the same easy access to schedules as those who use the NYC Ferry app. Additionally, Hornblower Group will implement a maintenance program that uses machine-learning to predict and optimize vessel maintenance to keep the NYC Ferry fleet in first-class, service-ready condition.
"I am excited to see that NYCEDC has selected a vendor that has a long-standing relationship and track record with the city,â€Â said Councilmember Amanda FarÃas. “This is a great way to continue to provide an accessible and affordable commute option for millions of New Yorkers. This announcement also brings with it increased sustainability, greater career opportunities, expanded opportunity for M/WBE’s, all while also continuing to lower subsidies. The NYC Ferry system has opened up pathways for outer-borough communities like mine in Soundview that had never been crossed before. I look forward to seeing ridership continue to grow and more New Yorkers taking advantage of our city’s newest transit system.â€Â
“We are proud to be selected by NYCEDC and the City of New York as we continue our partnership as the operator of NYC Ferry; providing millions of New Yorkers with a convenient, accessible, and affordable commuting option that connects both traditionally underserved transit deserts and local economic hubs across all five boroughs,â€Â said Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer, Hornblower Group. “As the founding operator of NYC Ferry in 2017, we look forward to building upon the achievements of the system’s record-setting success in a new phase, including implementing Mayor Adams’ Ferry Forward vision to create a more equitable and financially sustainable system. We proposed and look forward to executing an innovative long-term strategy for NYC Ferry that drives ridership among underserved communities, reduces operational costs, and maximizes value to city taxpayers. On behalf of Hornblower Group and the hundreds of devoted and exceptional NYC Ferry crewmembers, we thank NYCEDC and the City of New York for their ongoing collaboration and look forward to welcoming millions more riders onboard in the coming years.â€Â
The NYC Ferry system provides about 7 million riders annually with safe, dependable, affordable, and accessible transit across the five boroughs. With six routes that touch every borough, 25 landings, and 38 vessels, the system spans 70 nautical miles and is now the largest passenger-only fleet in the nation, based on hours of service and fleet size. NYC Ferry has further proven to be among the country's most resilient transit networks with the third-fastest ridership recovery of the largest transit systems in the U.S. since the pandemic.