Christine Quinn called for a city-wide ferry system in a speech last week. One line from her speech, “imagine…commuting from Astoria to downtown without having to brave the traffic at the Triboro Bridge, ” makes you wonder if Quinn and the people behind the congestion pricing plan have ever heard of the Queensboro Bridge, or for that matter the Brooklyn Bridge or the Williamsburg Bridge, since nobody would drive over the Triboro if they’re headed downtown.
But we like the idea of more ferries. The Gotham Gazette spells out some things that would help make the plan a reality, such as subsidies and easier commutes to the ferries. Everyone we know who’s tried New York Water Taxi’s service from LIC agrees that it’s a great ride, but a little pricey for everyday, so subsidies probably would get a more people out on the water. There have also been rumors that a new ferry dock might be coming to Astoria, possibly near Costco and the Sohmer Piano condos.
