Ferry service will be a benefit to Riverdale

To the editor:

I would like to submit this letter to the editor in support of ferry service from Riverdale to lower Manhattan. ("Driving Mr. Hoffnung," political arena, Feb. 21)

I noticed a few weeks ago a letter to the editor warning that ferry service from Riverdale would be impossible given docking and river current conditions. After speaking with representatives of the Riverdale Ferry Coalition it is clear that ferry service is definitely feasible and safe.

Ferry service to lower Manhattan would directly improve the quality of life of many Riverdale residents who make the long journey to lower Manhattan for work. This service would save the average commuter up to 35 minutes or more one way. This saves a commuter at least five hours of commute time in just one week. If you then calculate the savings in a year, the amount of time saved is enormous.

What could a commuter do with all these extra hours? Be more available for their children, attend more community events, volunteer in the community, rest, exercise, be more available to family and friends - all net improvements in quality of life and overall well-being. Taking just one segment of the population, such as families with both parents working, any time left over at the end of the week helps offset the extra hours most people are putting in at work.

The environmental benefits to ferry service are numerous, too. As many as 3,300 Riverdalians commute to lower Manhattan by car. More time out of cars means less carbon dioxide emissions. The coalition estimates up to a 25-percent reduction in carbon emissions if those drivers switched to a trip down and back up the river. Costs to own and maintain a car are reduced as well. Furthermore, all practical purposes aside, imagine how nice it would be to take a beautiful ferry ride down to Manhattan just for pleasure.

It is for these reasons and more I write this letter, as I believe ferry service deserves full support from Riverdale's elected officials and residents.

CORTNEY WORRAL

This is part of the February 28, 2008 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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