Council Members Proposed City Island Ferry Study

The bill aims to address transit gaps by evaluating the feasibility of a new ferry stop in the Bronx.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cruises

Council Members Proposed City Island Ferry Study

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Do you support prioritizing government funding to expand ferry service to isolated local neighborhoods?

On September 10, 2026, New York City Council members introduced a bill requiring municipal agencies to study the potential for ferry service to City Island. The legislation follows calls to address the area's limited public transit options.

Why it matters

City Island is currently considered a transit desert with only the Bx29 bus and a subway station 3.5 miles away as primary connections. Proponents suggest ferry access could improve economic opportunities and provide an alternative emergency evacuation route.

Introduction 1032-2026 mandates a feasibility study to evaluate potential landing sites for new ferry infrastructure. If sites are deemed suitable, the bill requires dock construction to begin within one year of the study's completion.

The players

Amanda Farias

Amanda Farias is a New York City Council member who co-introduced the bill to study ferry expansion for City Island.

Shirley Aldebol

Shirley Aldebol is a New York City Council member who collaborated on the legislation to assess local transit infrastructure.

The details

The bill requires municipal agencies to identify suitable locations for docking to connect City Island to broader transit networks. Currently, the only NYC Ferry stops in the Bronx are located in Soundview and Throggs Neck.

Late 2010s: Advocacy for an Orchard Beach ferry landing occurred.
December 2021: The NYC Ferry route was extended to Ferry Point Park.
September 10, 2026: Intro 1032-2026 was introduced to the City Council.
Within one year of study completion: Dock construction must occur if sites are deemed suitable.

Travel Outlook

The proposal for a City Island link follows the operational precedents established by the NYC Ferry system expansion projects. This move marks an extension of the municipal strategy to connect isolated waterfront communities to the broader urban transit grid.

Residents currently reliant on the Bx29 bus to reach the subway should monitor the study results for potential long-term transit alternatives. If the ferry project moves forward, it may eventually provide a more direct water-based commute option toward Manhattan.

The takeaway

The proposed study highlights the ongoing challenge of connecting geographically isolated island communities to the city's central transit hubs. Locals should stay informed about upcoming municipal hearings to voice concerns regarding how new ferry traffic might impact the neighborhood.