McMahon, Molinaro Call for Car Service on Staten Island Ferry

August 12, 2009 5:20 PM

Staten Island, NY – In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, sent yesterday, Congressman Michael E. McMahon and Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro called for a review of the security implications in allowing cars on the Staten Island Ferry.  Car service was suspended indefinitely following the attacks on September 11, 2001, and the two Staten Island officials think it is now time to reinstate service.

“The residents of Staten Island endure one of the most arduous and costly commutes in the country; all options which could ease that burden without compromising our safety should be made available,” said Rep. Michael E. McMahon.  “Most metropolitan ferries provide car service.  It doesn’t make sense that this service has not been resumed on the Staten Island Ferry.  Opening the ferry to car transportation would give Staten Island commuters more choices, ultimately save many commuters time, and would cut down on all the unnecessary vehicle emissions resulting from the need to drive through Brooklyn to get to Manhattan.”

Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro said, “If a safe method can be established to return car service to the Staten Island Ferry, then it definitely would improve the transportation system for the people of Staten Island, who struggle with many long delays due to the interstate traffic on the Gowanus Expressway.”

With the exception of a three year window where cars were not permitted on the ferry following a fire at Whitehall Ferry Terminal in 1991, car service was provided on the Staten Island Ferry for many years.  After the tragic events of 9/11, car service was suspended on most major metropolitan ferries; however, the Staten Island Ferry is one of the few where car service has not been reinstated.  As stated in the letter to Secretary Napolitano:

Of the dozen ferry systems studied by the United States Coast Guard in 2005, the Staten Island Ferry is the only major public ferry service that did not transport vehicles.  Washington State Ferry, the nation’s largest ferry system, has been able to comply with Coast Guard regulations and maintain car service along its maritime highways.  The Crescent City Connection Division in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Cross Sound Ferry, connecting New London, CT and Orient Point, NY, also have resumed service.

In the seven years leading up to 9/11, the Staten Island Ferry carried over 1,000 cars daily.  With the expansion of the fleet in recent years, over 160 cars and 31,560 passengers can be serviced in just one-way trip to Manhattan.