Far Rockaway, Queens- Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Far Rockaway), today called on the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to permanently reinstate the Downtown Far Rockaway Shuttle Bus to the Rockaway Ferry. The shuttle provided transportation from the Ferry Terminal on Beach 108th to Mott Ave, Wavecrest Gardens on Beach 20th and back to the Ferry Terminal. Until January 18th, 2018 EDC operated the shuttle as a pilot program that was utilized by residents living in Far Rockaway who commute to Manhattan. EDC confirmed that they would not continue the shuttle stating that ridership was not met.

“Since its inception the ferry has become an integral part of our community- Not continuing the shuttle in the Far Rockaway community is ignoring the fact that the whole Peninsula should have the access to this service,” said Pheffer Amato. “The opportunity for transit must remain. The city needs to be looking for options to improve transportation for residents, not just tourists in the summer- it’s unfair and makes no sense.”

Far Rockaway is a transit desert. Residents utilized this shuttle- regardless of the number- and they should still have it as an option,” concluded Pheffer Amato. “