Untitled

(Photo: Bitch Cakes on Flickr)

The New York City Economic Development Corporation, the private body in charge of the East River Ferry, has announced that Greenpoint ferry service will resume tomorrow morning—just in time to rescue Greenpointers stranded by lapsed G-train service.

Service to the India Street pier was halted on February 13, after the commuter walkway plunged into the icy waters of the East River. Nobody was injured in the incident but repairs have been ongoing, provoking frustration among Greenpointers. Regardless, it seems the EDC are making good on their promise to get the pier ship-shape again, in time to prevent a total commuting disaster for those affected by the shutdown of G train service, for Sandy recovery work, from Nassau Ave. to Court St. through Sept. 2.

The ferry — which connects to stops in Long Island City, DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Lower Manhattan — won’t be up and running again until tomorrow, so you might want to use that free Uber ride tonight.

Read the entire announcement below:

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced that East River Ferryservice will return to regular service at the India Street / Greenpoint ferry landing beginning tomorrowmorning, Saturday, July 26. The return of the ferry service to India Street / Greenpoint will provide critical support to riders in the absence of the G train, which as of this evening is suspended for five weeks for Hurricane Sandy-related repair work. The India Street pier’s private owner, RedSky Capital, has rebuilt the ferry landing in Greenpoint, which has been out of service since mid-February.
 
“The East River Ferry is a critical piece of the City’s transportation infrastructure, serving thousands of riders every day,” said NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball. “We thank our passengers for their patience as the pier’s owner rebuilt the ferry landing on India Street to rigorous safety standards. We are grateful to be able to bring ferry service back to the Greenpoint neighborhood to support riders during the G train suspension.”
 
“The G train shutdown is going to be painful, but hopefully more options will mean less inconvenience for Greenpoint. Fortunately, service has been restored just in time – it took too long, but I’m glad the option is back,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “I look forward to working with EDC as Red Sky provides further details on what happened in February. The ferry is such a transportation lifeline for so many, and I will continue to work with EDC on further improvements to the India Street pier, and service expansion.”
 
“For the next five weeks we will be missing a major component of our transportation system and the return of the East River Ferry at India Street comes just in the nick of time,” said Councilmember Stephen Levin. “The Greenpoint community depends on a safe and reliable East River Ferry and it is important now more than ever that it will be back up and running. I am thankful that service will resumethis Saturday and that residents will have another transportation option while G train service is suspended.”
 
“East River Ferry service has been a huge success with New Yorkers, and with the G train out, it will be more crucial than ever,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.  “It was important that the de Blasio Administration and RedSky Capital worked to restore service at the India Street/Greenpoint ferry landing before repairs on the G train began.  I was pleased to visit the ferry stop last weekend and to see that the work was just about completed – and I’m even more pleased that it will be open for business tomorrow.”
 
“With the impending G train closure, riders need all the alternatives they can get,” said Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol. “I am glad the India street pier was repaired in time to cater to Greenpoint residents that take advantage of the East River Ferry service on a regular basis. It will also once again provide an alternate means of transportation for tourists that frequently visit the beautiful neighborhood of Greenpoint.”

“We’re pleased to be able to bring ferry service back to our customers in Greenpoint,” said Paul Goodman, CEO of Billybey Ferry Company, “particularly at this critical time with the G train out of service.”

The temporary shuttle bus service, announced in February by NYCEDC and Senator Squadron and operated by East River Ferry operator BillyBey, will continue to transport riders between the India Street / Greenpoint and the North 6th Street / North Williamsburg East River Ferry landings during morning and evening rush hours through Wednesday, July 30.