February 23, 2009
Two Water Taxi beaches in the works for Manhattan
(Update: New Water Taxi Beach location: Governors Island)
The New York Water Taxi has been busy.
Not only did it complete its acquisition of Circle Line Downtown, but it’s also eyeing two Manhattan waterfront spots for possible Water Taxi Beach locations this season, and hopes to resume summer weekend service to Governors Island, Rockaway Beach and possibly Sandy Hook.
If Governors Island is open this summer, we will “most likely add it” to the hop-on hop-off schedule, said Travis Noyes, the chief operating officer of Harbor Experience Companies, the new company created to oversee the operations of New York Water Taxi, Circle Line Downtown and Water Taxi Beach.
Governors Island, which has not yet secured funds to reopen this summer, has in the past been served by a free ferry from Lower Manhattan. The NY Water Taxi also provided $5 per-trip service from Brooklyn and Manhattan in 2007.
Noyes would not disclose any further information about the Water Taxi Beach proposals except to say they would be on the waterfront in Manhattan and could be reached by boat.
The existing Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City is scheduled to open for the season in May, during Memorial Day Weekend.
Summer weekend service to the beach at the Rockaways is set to resume with a city subsidy, and there’s a possibility the beaches at Sandy Hook, New Jersey could get service as well, Noyes told NewYorkology in an interview this afternoon.
Although the Water Taxi does not have a long-term contract with Ikea, the free service to the home furnishings store in red Hook has been “very successful,” Noyes said.
Noyes said he foresees no changes in the East River commuter service, but he did note that the subsidy for the Yonkers-to-Manhattan service is up for renewal this summer.
Other bits of info from Noyes:
 Circle Line Downtown’s smaller Patriot boat was not included in the acquisition. It’s currently docked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and is for sale.
The acquisition came with dock space at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, but it’s not open to the public.
Picture credits: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology
Earlier: Governors Island plans: more biking, art and cabanas
Water Taxi completes purchase of Circle Line Downtown
Rockaways, Frying Pan to get Water Taxi on weekends
Water Taxi starts Brooklyn-to-Governors Island route
February 23, 2009 2:17 PM in Cheap Stuff, Downtown, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology, Tours, Transportology
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