Chamber Joins NYC Ferry for Inaugural SI/BK Ride

Staten Island is officially Brooklyn bound. With the launch of NYC Ferry’s new direct route between the two boroughs - which officially began on Monday, December 8, 2025 - commuters and businesses are gaining a long awaited connection that has the potential to reshape daily travel and strengthen economic ties across the harbor.

This new route did not appear overnight. It follows several years of steady advocacy from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and many community partners who recognized how transformative a direct link to Brooklyn could be. Staten Island’s workforce has long faced some of the longest commute times in the city. Businesses have struggled with limited cross borough accessibility for both employees and customers. For years, improving maritime transit was one of the clearest and most achievable ways to address these challenges.

During this time, the Chamber participated in planning discussions, offered testimony, and met with city officials to underscore the practical and economic benefits of a Brooklyn bound route. The argument was straightforward. More efficient travel improves quality of life for residents, supports business growth, expands hiring opportunities, and encourages greater regional collaboration. Improved connectivity also creates new openings for tourism, arts and culture exchanges, and partnerships between institutions on both sides of the harbor.

This week’s inaugural ride is a testament to what consistent, coordinated advocacy can accomplish. With the ferry now offering a direct path to Brooklyn, Staten Islanders have a new option that reduces travel time, eases the strain on other transit modes, and strengthens the borough’s link to the wider city.

We’re proud to join Staten Island as we celebrate a meaningful transit win. Direct NYC Ferry service to Brooklyn begins NOW, opening a new chapter in how the borough moves, works, and connects!