Rockaways To Get Temporary Ferry Service To Manhattan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Temporary ferry service will be offered from the Rockaways to Manhattan while the area's subway service is suspended.

Council Member James Sanders Jr. said the service can help bring a "degree of normality'' to residents overwhelmed by storm damage.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports

Seastreak will operate the hourly ferry service beginning at 5:45 a.m. Monday.

EXTRA: Click here for the schedule

"Life has been very difficult and it's going to be a long time before things get back to normal, but with the ferry service being restored to the Rockaways people are going to have fast and reliable transportation to Manhattan -- something they've wanted for a very long time and something that they need," said Council Member Eric Ulrich. "Many people have missed out on work or taken too many days off from work and this is really going to go a long way to help people get back on their feet."

The ferries will depart from Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive in Queens and stop at Pier 11 in the Wall Street area.

Free transfers will be available between Pier 11 and East 34th Street in Midtown.

The fare will be $2 each way.

"Residents of the Rockaways will now have an affordable and reliable way to get to and from Manhattan," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The city's Economic Development Corporation has been working to install a temporary landing in Queens for the endeavor.

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