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The ferry is free, since 1996. Imagine something actually got cheaper.
When the MTA introduced the Metrocard, they wanted to make all of NYC a one-fare zone. Prior to this, coming from SI, you paid the bus/train fare, ferry fare, then subway/bus fare in Manhattan. (3 fares) Now the MetroCard gives you a train/bus ride on both sides of the harbor for the same fare, and they worked out some arrangement with the City of NY to eliminate the ferry fare to make it a true one-fare zone.
This however doesnt have you escape the $13 one way toll at the VNB.
Come to think of it, you cant get off Staten Island by bridge for free, but have to pay on the way in, its like the cover charge at a club.
So here I am, Joe Blow business owner on LI, whose employees and business do not use any MTA services, yet I am paying the quarterly MTA tax which partially subsidizes ferry service for those who have to get too and fro onto Staten Island because of a deal struck with the City of NY???
And -- can anyone explain to me why I saw the Staten Island ferry leaving Bridgeport harbor last Wednesday afternoon? I have never seen it before in all my crossings -- there's no mistaking a large, yellow vessel with the words "Staten Island Ferry" painted on it's side for anything but that.
Because I enjoy the suburbs, living 22 years in the city takes a toll on you. Especially in apartment buildings, after you live in a house its hard to go back to a apartment.
Also if you work in Manhattan, you usually don't want to live there. I only like dealing with snobby wall street people, or tourists walking all over my feet 8 hours out of the day. I like the peace and quiet in the suburbs which you usually only find in Brooklyn, Queens, or LI.
Fair enough, but I find it hard to believe that the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens(familiar only with Bayside & Forest Hills/Forest Hills Gardens) can be quiet and peaceful like their suburban counterparts in Nassau and Suffolk. My folks left the BX when I was young, so I really don't have a memory as to how noisy that was on the GC. I can appreciate the fact that living in a single family house is far more peaceful than an apartment. (Unless one has children -- aaack!)
So here I am, Joe Blow business owner on LI, whose employees and business do not use any MTA services, yet I am paying the quarterly MTA tax which partially subsidizes ferry service for those who have to get too and fro onto Staten Island because of a deal struck with the City of NY???
And -- can anyone explain to me why I saw the Staten Island ferry leaving Bridgeport harbor last Wednesday afternoon? I have never seen it before in all my crossings -- there's no mistaking a large, yellow vessel with the words "Staten Island Ferry" painted on it's side for anything but that.
No I didn't say that the MTA subsdizes the SI Ferry, in fact there was no exchange of money, purely political gain. BTW did you know that the City actually OWNS the subway system? Any anger for the MTA tax should be aimed squarely where it belongs, the NYS Legislature.
As for the ferry being in Bridgeport, it was more than likely one of the 1965 Kennedy class boats (JFK, American Legion, Herbert Lehmman), the following two are retired, and either being scrapped, or converted to other use, The Lehman was actually on ebay in February.
This was what the one I saw looked like:
Staten Island Ferry in Bridgeport CT | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cemeteryrodeo/5949178298/ - broken link)
It wasn't docked when I saw it -- it was under power having just left the harbor headed west and crossed the path of the PJ Ferry I was on.
I supposed they are being taken in for service at the boatyard there?
This was what the one I saw looked like:
Staten Island Ferry in Bridgeport CT | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cemeteryrodeo/5949178298/ - broken link)
It wasn't docked when I saw it -- it was under power having just left the harbor headed west and crossed the path of the PJ Ferry I was on.
I supposed they are being taken in for service at the boatyard there?
It's the John A. Noble, one of two 1986 ferry boats that carry only abt 1,280 passengers (tiny), it's there having some pollution control system installed. Those two boats (the other is the Alice Austin) are barely used because they are so small. So why they're spending money on retrofitting one of those is beyond me. But here is the Article.
As for the 1965 boats:
John F Kennedy - Still in limited service when extra boats are needed
American Legion - Scrapped
Herbert H. Lehman - In Newburgh, NY undergoing some conversion.
It's the John A. Noble, one of two 1986 ferry boats that carry only abt 1,280 passengers (tiny), it's there having some pollution control system installed. Those two boats (the other is the Alice Austin) are barely used because they are so small. So why they're spending money on retrofitting one of those is beyond me. But here is the Article.
As for the 1965 boats:
John F Kennedy - Still in limited service when extra boats are needed
American Legion - Scrapped
Herbert H. Lehman - In Newburgh, NY undergoing some conversion.
Wow, just wow.
Ok, so they propose such a huge increase so everyone can agree on a middle ground and go from $8 to $12 and not $15 and be happy about it ?
This is nuts !! Will be waiting for the veto.
Come September 2, I will have to pay that toll only once and never again. Good Bye to high taxes!
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