The Mamdani administration is rolling out the largest summer ferry schedule in city history as New York prepares for millions of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a packed season of major events.
Our Bureau
New York, NY
The administration of Zohran Kwame Mamdani has announced the most extensive summer service expansion ever for NYC Ferry, unveiling additional vessels, more frequent routes and special beach-bound services ahead of what officials expect will be one of the busiest summers in the city’s history.
The expanded 2026 summer ferry schedule, which began this week and will continue through Sept. 13, is part of a broader effort by City Hall to strengthen transportation infrastructure before the arrival of international visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials say the new schedule is designed to reduce wait times, improve connections between boroughs and support the growing popularity of ferry travel across the city.
Mayor Mamdani described the expansion as part of a larger urban mobility strategy tied to New York’s preparations for global events and rising commuter demand.
“The world is coming to New York City — and New York City is ready,” the mayor said while launching the new summer service. “We are investing in the infrastructure that keeps this city moving.”
Alongside the service expansion, the administration unveiled five specially wrapped NYC Ferry vessels carrying World Cup-inspired artwork representing the identity and diversity of each of the city’s five boroughs. The ferries will operate across New York Harbor throughout the summer season.
The new schedule reflects growing pressure on the city’s transportation network as tourism, recreational travel and daily commuting continue to rebound strongly. Ferry ridership has surged over the past two years, with the East River route recently recording its two busiest days ever, surpassing 40,000 boardings in a single weekend.
Last summer, NYC Ferry also set records for daily, weekly and monthly ridership, with August 2025 becoming the highest ridership month in the system’s history.
To accommodate expected demand, the city is increasing weekend ferry trips, deploying larger vessels on heavily used routes and expanding high-frequency beach services. Officials say the goal is to provide faster and more reliable transportation during a summer expected to feature not only World Cup crowds but also major events such as Sail4th 250 celebrations and July Fourth festivities.
Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said the increase in ferry operations is also expected to stimulate economic activity across neighborhoods in all five boroughs.
“We’re putting more vessels on the water because this summer demands it,” she said. “More service means more New Yorkers moving, more visitors exploring and more economic activity reaching communities across all five boroughs.”
One of the most notable elements of the summer plan is the return of reservable ferry services to the Rockaway beaches. The city is bringing back both the Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket programs, which were highly popular during previous summers.
Beginning May 23, passengers will once again be able to reserve seats on select departures between Wall Street’s Pier 11 and Rockaway. Later in the summer, the Rockaway Rocket will resume direct express service from Long Island City and Greenpoint to the beaches. The premium services are aimed at reducing overcrowding while improving convenience for beachgoers during peak weekends and holidays.
Both services will cost $12 per person, while non-reserved seating will remain available on standard Rockaway-Soundview ferries.
The city says demand for these services has grown sharply. In 2025, Rockaway Reserve sold nearly 30,000 tickets and generated more than $360,000 in revenue, while Rockaway Rocket sold over 17,000 tickets. Officials reported that average daily Rockaway Rocket sales increased 19 percent compared with the previous year.
NYCEDC Interim President and CEO Jeanny Pak said the expanded service would help both residents and tourists navigate the city more efficiently during a crowded summer season.
The ferry initiative is closely tied to broader transportation improvements now underway across the city. The Mamdani administration has already announced street redesigns near the Brooklyn Bridge, expanded bike infrastructure in Manhattan and new bus lanes connecting Queens to LaGuardia Airport. Together, officials say, the projects are intended to ease congestion and create alternative transit options during the World Cup period.
NYC Ferry Executive Director James Wong said the city is preparing for an unusually intense convergence of tourism, sporting events and seasonal travel.
“With the FIFA World Cup, Sail4th 250 and another busy beach season all converging in summer 2026, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to explore New York Harbor alongside New Yorkers,” Wong said.
The ferry system itself has become a major component of the city’s public transportation network. Operating across 70 nautical miles with 38 vessels, six routes and 25 landings, NYC Ferry is now the largest passenger-only ferry fleet in the United States.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said the expanded ferry operations would allow more residents to participate in World Cup-related activities across the city while improving everyday transit access for local communities.
