EPA press release on WTC cleaning hotline launch, June 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Five main components should be considered to ensure the continued improvement and growth of ... ’SSs Lower Manhattan ferry service. Four will be iffssSSIIjlB described in brief and the fifth, ferry service for the ssisSlllllll northern suburbs, will be explored more thoroughly:

(1) Identifying existing FEM^l-subsidized lines that are important to sustain.

For certain commuters, ferries provide the best pos­ sible means of traveling to work. An example is the (8^1

service to Pier 11 from New Jersey that was imple­ ^^^^****“-

mented after September 11th. For some New Jersey commuters who work in the "Water Street Corridor" A Port Authority rendering of the proposed World Financial Center ferry terminal on the east side of Lower Manhattan, taking a ferry to Pier 11 is more convenient than was their previous commute via PATH to the World Trade Center. Many of the ferry lines established after September 11th currently receive operating sub­ sidies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These subsidies will most likely diminish and eventually cease when PATH is fully restored. Without such support, some routes will discontinue for lack of ridership and revenue. Others may be sustainable based on their ongoing convenience and utility to a significant number of commuters.

Careful analysis of ferry customer trends — on both Pier 11 routes and others established after September 11th — should be conducted once WTC PATH service resumes to determine whether further public agency intervention is appropriate.

Newferry terminal and landings

Plans are in place to upgrade certain facilities that serve ferries in Lower Manhattan — to increase ves­ sel berthing and passenger handling capacity and pro­ vide a comfortable, attractive environment. An advantage of ferries is that they have the potential to provide a level and quality of service that equals or exceeds what the rail transit system offers. The loca­ tions in Lower Manhattan where ferry infrastructure investment is planned or possible include: Ferry service to the east side of Lower Manhattan grew substantially after September 11th.

Chapter 3: R'eaching the Re, real Rail and Ferrv Solutions 79

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