Rivera gets on board

Another elected official has thrown his support behind creating a high-speed commuter ferry service between Riverdale and lower Manhattan.

City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera announced last week that he's in favor of offering the service to local commuters, given Riverdale's position on the Hudson River. He said the added option will not only shorten commute times for many of Riverdale's train, subway and bus riders, but will also have a positive effect on the city's transportation congestion as a whole.

"Given the fact that it can take over 75 minutes each way to commute from Riverdale to lower Manhattan via public transportation, it is no surprise that so many people choose to drive into Manhattan instead," Mr. Rivera said. "If we are serious about reducing congestion into Manhattan, we must provide the people of the Bronx with viable commuting alternatives. Offering high-speed ferry service in Riverdale would help shorten commutes for thousands of people in an environmentally responsible fashion."

Ari Hoffnung, who said he is "seriously considering" a City Council run for Oliver Koppell's term-limited seat in 2009, is spearheading efforts to bring the ferry to Riverdale.

"We are delighted to receive Majority Leader Joel Rivera's support," Mr. Hoffnung said after the councilman's announcement. "He is one of the most influential members of the New York City Council."

Mr. Rivera adds his name to a short list of public figures who have come out publicly for the ferry. These include City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel and Mr. Koppell.

In addition, Community Board 8's traffic and transportation committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of conducting a feasibility study into the ferry plan. The main sticking points are the location of the ferry terminal and the high cost of the fare. Currently, a ferry ride from Yonkers to lower Manhattan costs $12 each way.

With the mayor's recent push to ease congestion - and train, subway, bus fares and bridge tolls expected to rise - interest has been rekindled in the ferry as an alternative to driving into Manhattan.

The average ferry ride to lower Manhattan takes 35 minutes from Yonkers, which is just to Riverdale's north.

This is part of the December 13, 2007 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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