The Rockaway Rocket is here!

The Rockaway Rocket is here, for now!  This temporary express ferry shuttle pilot program started on July 23rd and will run on weekends and holidays through September 11th!

This program is an effort by the city to raise revenue and increase ridership. It is part of a broader overhaul of the ferry’s fare system.  The Rockaway Rocket is a nonstop express ferry, departing from Manhattan’s Pier 11 by Wall Street and stops directly at 108th street at Beach Channel Drive. 

Manhattan departures are scheduled at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm.  Riders can depart from Rockaway directly to Pier 11/Wall Street at 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:30 pm.  The cost for a 1-way ticket is $8 and it ONLY includes the Rockaway Rocket ferry ride.  A round-trip ticket costs $16.  There is a cost of $2.75 to transfer to another ferry, train, or bus.  The non-stop trip takes between 45-55 minutes and skips the Sunset Park stop. 

This new service comes conveniently at the same time Mayor Adams announced that the fare for the regular NYC Ferry will climb to $4 per ride (up from $2.75) for “tourists and infrequent riders” starting September 12th. 

The ACTUAL cost of a ferry ride is $12.88 per trip even though riders have been paying $2.75.  According to “The Gothamist,’ the city had underreported approximately $244 million worth of expenses since 2015.

My Top 10 Rocket tips and facts:

  1. Reserve Your One-way Ticket in Advance:  Tickets MUST be reserved in advance either online at www.ferry.nyc or via the NYC Ferry app.  There are NO paper tickets and no Metrocards are accepted. 
  2. Reserve a Bicycle Spot in Advance as Early as Possible: Bicycle spots must also be reserved online in advance.  The ferries only have room for about 10 bicycles, so the earlier you reserve the better.  There is no additional charge to take your bike onto the Rockaway Rocket.
  3. Discounts Are Available: Beginning on September 1st, low-income New Yorkers, seniors and the disabled can purchase a one-way Rocket ticket for $1.35.  Frequent riders can purchase a 10-trip pack for $27.50. 
  4. A Reserved Ticket Equals a Guaranteed Seat:  An advantage of taking the Rocket is your pre-reserved ticket guarantees you a seat and eliminates the chance of the ferry being overcrowded.  Tickets may be purchased, if available, up to 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. 
  5. Take the Kids, Especially Small Ones:  Up to three children under 44 inches in height can board with each adult; however, the child’s FREE ticket MUST BE reserved in advance using the ferry app or website.  Height will be verified upon boarding and children will NOT be permitted to board without a ticket. 
  6. Android Smartphone Owners Be Patient:  Android users buying tickets via ferry.nyc may NOT immediately see their tickets in the NYC Ferry app.  Riders using the Android NYC Ferry App will automatically receive a ticket purchase confirmation via email, and can expect to see their reserved tickets in the app the day prior to their scheduled departure.  Keep in mind you MUST present your ticket by phone using their app, no paper tickets are accepted!
  7. If You Miss Your Departure:  The Rockaway Rocket Ferry is independent from the regular ferry system and the MTA train system.   If you miss your Rockaway Rocket Ferry ride, you MAY use your ticket to board a regular NYC Ferry until your ticket expires.  You may NOT use your ticket for priority boarding on any other ferry route.
  8. Use the Rocket Waiting Line: If you are using the Rocket, do NOT wait on the regular ferry line.  RR service includes a separate line for reserved Rocket ticketholders.
  9. Rain or Shine Unless Cancelled by NYC Ferry:  Rockaway Rocket trips operate regardless of weather and are non-refundable.  In the event of extreme weather, NYC Ferry may cancel a trip.  In that case, full refunds will be issued to ALL riders, no questions asked.
  10. Try It and Be Happy:  The Rockaway Rocket promises tremendous panoramic views of Manhattan and Queens, great for photos.  There are also discounted adult and regular beverages available on board!

The Rockaway Rocket is a new and exciting pilot program that will bring more people from Manhattan to now “Easy to Reach Rockaway Beach.”   It beats the hot and sweaty subway and is an easy 45-55 minutes from Wall Street to The Rock and vice versa!  Give it a try and let me know what you think at [email protected].