May 29, 2007

Circle Line proposes solar ferries for Statue of Liberty

Circle Line downtown, the ferry company that's had the exclusive contract to take tourists to the Statue of Liberty since the 1950s, has pitched a plan to start using an $8 million solar-powered boat on the route, according to the Post.

But if Circle Line's exclusive contract is not renewed for the route, the new Australian-made envoronmentally friendly vessels would still be phased into Circle Line's other routes, the company told the Post. The contract is currently up for bid -- for the first time in 18 years.

But in February, the New York Times reported the bidding process had some unusual conditions -- including a requirement that any new bidder would have to buy the seven old ferries from the current operator, Circle Line, for about $18 million. Some of those ferries date to the 1950s.

The Post story makes no mention of that slight quirk when touting the new solar-powered plan. The Statue of Liberty ferry contract, which also includes the trip to Ellis Island, will be awarded by the National Park Service.

Earlier:
Statue of Liberty: long lines, mondo security, big payoff
Odd rules for new Statue of Liberty ferry bidders
Circle Line adds cruises, but LaGuardia ferry on hold
Statue of Liberty Circle Line Ferry in hot water - Sun

May 29, 2007 07:16 AM in Out of Manhattan, Sightsology, Tours, Transportology

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