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S.I. Borough President Wants New Great Kills Ferry Service Made Permanent

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Temporary ferry service has been added between Staten Island's south shore and Manhattan to help ease transportation issues following Superstorm Sandy.

The New York Water Taxi service from a temporary landing at Great Kills Park making stops near Wall Street and in Midtown began Monday morning. One-way fare on the New York Water Taxi ferry is $2.

The additional ferry service is scheduled to run for eight weeks, but city officials said it provides much-needed service to an under-served area.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said the first-day success could turn into an additional full-time ferry service serving Staten Island.

"We'll assess the ridership, we'll see how it goes. I rode the service this morning, it was terrific. We had over 248 people just in the morning rush hour alone which, I think, speaks to the demand for this kind of service," Sadik-Khan told WCBS 880 on Monday afternoon.

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro said the ferry is the most direct way for many on the south shore to get to Manhattan.

"People that I rode with, they were delighted. A member of your family could just drop you off, leave, and just pick you up at night," Molinaro told WCBS 880. "It has all the ingredients of being a huge success."

Molinaro noted there is no gridlock to contend with on a ferry.

"There's an awful lot of people that must get into the city every day to work and who were getting in late and so we started it as an eight-week experiment. But from the response that we received today, I think it could very well be a permanent solution to some of our people getting into the city," Molinaro said. "It's going to get you into Manhattan in 45 minutes, so how can you beat it?"

Schedules are on the Transportation Department's website.

After being shut down for several days, the Staten Island Ferry resumed service on Nov. 2.

The city has also established a temporary ferry to the badly damaged Rockaways in Queens.

Do you think this ferry service should be made permanent? Sound off in the comments section below...

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