Manhattan’s 441 subway stops may seem to offer the connections a commuter needs within the city. However, newly proposed ferry routes promise a more convenient trip beyond the borough — with ripple effects on, and from, the real estate market.
The proposal
The NYC Ferry system released a new route map on July 14, for public review ahead of a hearing July 21 — with a public feedback form open until September 1. The proposal outlines several additions and changes aimed at boosting stop capacity and connections, while cutting down commute times — especially for those with property conveniently located along the new routes.
The biggest change is the return of the Staten Island-Brooklyn line, linking St. George to Bay Ridge. This also expands the Staten Island route, offering broader access to East River ferry lines. These proposed adjustments mark the first major shakeup of the ferry system since its 2017 launch. However, for the real estate market, even minor tweaks can carry outsized impacts — and developers are taking notice.
The underlying current
The new routes offer a convenient uptick in population density for developers – adding immediate value to nearby properties. These routes, then, aren’t necessarily about improving convenience for commuters, but about padding the pockets of big developers eager for increased traffic.
A clear example came in 2020, when the Durst Organization — a multi-generational real-estate company established in 1915, with a portfolio exceeding 3,000 properties and average yearly revenue over $850 million — pushed for a change to serve its Halletts Point project that cut commute times to Manhattan from 75 minutes to 4, at tax payer expense. However, these developments aren’t aimed at everyday commuters from Queens. They’re luxury apartments for businesspeople looking to escape Manhattan’s noise.
The ferry system’s priorities become even clearer in examining the stop locations – and their access (or the lack of it) to other transit. Take the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a mile away from the nearest subway station, yet pitched by developers as a future industry hub. Commuters face a mess of transfers and timetables, while those with influence seem free to bend routes to suit their own needs.
The commuter current
Commuters increasingly find themselves relying on developers’ influence to meet their needs. New condos and apartments near the Second Avenue subway’s 71st Street stop (luxury-priced, of course) have flourished – while long-promised extensions further uptown remain under endless construction.
This pattern – luxury developments taking priority while critical commuter projects stall – is nothing new. But in a time of financial strain for many who rely most on the city’s public transportation systems, it stings more than usual. Still, this isn’t a lost cause. The proposed ferry routes are open for public feedback, making now the time to speak up. After all, commuters are the ones voting with their wallet.
In the long run, the new ferry lines offer a real benefit – making it easier for people to settle outside of the city’s chaos(and price tags) while staying within reach of work. That is, if they can navigate the MTA’s ever-unreliable schedules.
And yet, a skyline view from the East River ferry on a summer night feels, somehow, always worth the $4.50 – no matter where you live.
