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New Staten Island Ferry Boats May Not Have Outdoor Seating

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Staten Island Ferry might soon be doing away with boats that allow passengers to ride outside.

As 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported, most riders Saturday were not too enamored with the idea of abandoning the tradition of letting passengers ride on the outside of the ferry cabin.

New Staten Island Ferry Boats May Not Have Outdoor Seating

George, however, thinks designing boats with only inside seating makes the ride safer.

"Given the fact that people are pushing people on the subways, I think it's a good idea, because you don't want anyone going out of the ferry," he said.

But tourists said riding on the outside, and taking photos of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, is the whole point of the ride.

SILive.com pointed out that if the new ferry boats do not have outdoor seating, it will break with a 50-year tradition. The new boats would be delivered in 2018.

Would a ferry with no outdoor seating bother you? Leave your comments below...

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