🚨Downtown ferry disruptions from 14th Street

While I was away at my Dad’s on Tuesday and Wednesday, I heard from many residents about significant delays on the downtown ferry from 14th Street. I went out this morning between 7:45 and 9:00 AM to see it firsthand and spoke directly with neighbors waiting in line.

What many riders were experiencing as significant delays -  in some cases 30 to 40 minutes - was actually the result of a modified morning schedule from 14th Street to Downtown. Certain ferries were temporarily suspended, but that information was not clearly reflected in the posted schedules.

According to the representatives from NY Waterway I spoke with, this is what is happening:  

• NY Waterway has temporarily modified the 14th to downtown morning ferry schedule and eliminated the 14th to Brookfield-only ferries.

• This modified schedule is currently posted only in the app under Alerts.  

• NY Waterway has confirmed that this change is temporary, though there is no confirmed timeline yet for when the Brookfield-only ferries will be restored.  

• The main schedule shown in the app and online has not yet been updated, which understandably caused confusion - especially to those in line for the highly traveled 8:10 and 8:45 ferries (which were eliminated).

• To add to the confusion, this modified schedule is currently not posted on the website under alerts either - only the NYWW app.

Here is the modified schedule:

What is being done

• I have asked NY Waterway to send a specific text alert explaining the downtown schedule changes and post on social media.

• NY Waterway has already sent the corrected schedule to their website and app vendor and is following up to have those updates posted as soon as possible so they are more easily found.

Additional systemwide impacts

• There are additional delays across the NY Waterway system due to lingering ice conditions.

• These delays are also being compounded by increased passenger volumes related to the NJ Transit disruption.

What downtown ferry riders should do right now

• Sign up for all Hoboken ferry text alerts so you receive real-time updates directly from NY Waterway.  Seriously, I sound like a broken record, but #InformationIsPower and it also can minimize commuting headaches.

• Open the NY Waterway app and check the latest Service Advisory under Alerts, as this is currently where the modified downtown schedule is posted.

• Do not rely solely on the posted schedule in the app or online, as it has not yet been updated.

• Do unto others….  Please share this information with any friends, neighbors, or coworkers who take the downtown ferries from 14th, especially those who rely on the 8:10 AM and 8:45 AM trips which are heavily traveled.  I have an early appointment tomorrow morning, or I would otherwise be out at the terminal letting neighbors know directly. So I’m asking for your help. Right now, word of mouth matters. This is the fastest way to make sure people are not caught off guard at the dock.

While I have you…

We have our second City Council caucus tonight via Zoom to review the agenda in advance of next week’s City Council meeting. I encourage you to join and watch either via Zoom or on YouTube.  The agenda has not yet been released, but our discussion will include Mayor Jabbour’s proposed organizational structure and leadership appointments that require City Council approval.  

And also…

Like hurricanes that are reclassified as conditions improve, I’m downgrading this from Armageddon to Transportation Turbulence. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback. While PATH and bus lines have seen some additional crowding on certain routes, people are adjusting — and the added ferries, trains, and buses are helping absorb the increased demand.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to discuss this or anything else important to you. My number is 201-208-1674.