Study: Staten Island Ferry Tourist Fare Could Bring Millions

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A study estimates creating a Staten Island Ferry "tourist-only'' fare could bring New York City millions of dollars in annual revenue.

The city's Independent Budget Office said a $4 tourist fee could bring in $2.4 million a year. That's taking into account the 1 million additional riders expected to visit Staten Island for The Wheel and Empire Outlets shopping center slated to open in 2016.

"I think tourists have demonstrated a willingness to reach into their pockets, particularly European tourists," Borough President James Oddo, who requested the study, told 1010 WINS. "I don't think they would be deterred from spending some figure to enjoy that beautiful vista and then to come over to these new amenities that will be on line in a couple of years here in Staten Island, including the world's largest observation wheel."

The study proposes two payment methods, the $4 fee for tourists and a MetroCard for all who live outside Staten Island.

"The advances in technology with swipe cards and other technological advances can in fact easily distinguish between the person who works and uses the ferry, residents on Staten Island who use the ferry and tourists," Oddo said.

Oddo told the Staten Island Advance that he's not pushing the concept. He wanted the study to get an objective analysis on how much money could be generated by additional out-of-towners using the ferries.

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