Ferry Service Will Run Hourly on Weekends Through Sunday, October 12
Pilot Program Builds Off Successful Launch Last Year
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the return of weekend service on Metro-North Railroad’s Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry. This pilot program, now in its second year, will offer hourly service across the Hudson River beginning Saturday, May 24, with ferries timed to connect at Ossining with trains to and from New York City. The schedules will remain in effect through Sunday, Oct. 12. Ferries will not operate on Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day.
“The Haverstraw-Ossining weekend ferry is a great way to experience the beauty of the Hudson Valley,” said Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “The 15-minute, 5½-mile ride allows everyone to fully enjoy the majestic scenery along the Hudson River – something you can’t do behind the wheel of a car. And it extends Rockland residents’ alternative to driving into New York City into summer weekends, as well as opening Haverstraw’s attractions to visitors from the east side of the river.”
“Rockland County is once again proud to welcome visitors from across the region with the return of the Haverstraw-Ossining Weekend Ferry Service,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “Thanks to our Transport of Rockland [TOR] Weekend Ferry Connection bus, travelers can easily reach some of the many unique destinations and attractions Rockland has to offer—all without needing a car.”
“As we prepare to embark on a fun and festive Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial kick-off to summer, we are thrilled that weekend ferry service will be returning for residents to enjoy from Westchester to Rockland counties,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. “The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry can quickly turn a trip across the Hudson into an adventure, with fresh air, scenic views and a relaxing ride for children and families. I want to thank our partners at Metro-North Railroad for bringing back this service, which offers a great alternative to driving and an enjoyable experience for all.”
“The ferry has been a tremendous boost to tourism in both Ossining and Haverstraw and we encourage people to take advantage of it,” said Mayor of the Village of Haverstraw Mike Kohut. “It’s a great way to travel and enjoy a beautiful weekend in the Hudson Valley. Please come and take advantage every chance you get so the ferry can continue to operate year after year.”
“We appreciate our relationship with Metro-North Railroad,” said NY Waterway Senior Vice President of Facilities and Business Development Donald Liloia. “It's been a long and wonderful public-private partnership. We're very happy about running the weekend service, and we love servicing both Haverstraw and Ossining. It's amazing to see the growth on both sides of the river.”
The ferry will operate hourly service between 10:23 a.m. and 7:46 p.m. on weekends.
An adult one-way ticket on the Haverstraw- Ossining ferry costs $4.50. Seniors (62 or older), people with disabilities, and Medicare recipients pay $2.25 with appropriate ID. Children 5 and under ride free on the ferry. Children aged 6-11 pay $2.25 A 10-trip ferry ticket is available for $38.25.
First launched last May, the weekend ferry service is designed to enhance the reach of Metro-North to Rockland County and serve as an alternative to driving to New York City. During the opening weekend in May 2024, the ferry averaged 240 riders a day. In June, that grew to an average of 284 riders daily, and in July, ridership reached an average of 455 riders a day on the weekend. The ferry set a record of 822 riders on Sunday, July 21.
As part of the return of weekend ferry service, Metro-North continues to offer discounts on monthly ferry tickets as well as three other ways to cross the Hudson into Orange and Rockland Counties: the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, the Newburgh-Beacon bus, and the Hudson Link bus service between Rockland County and Tarrytown and White Plains via the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.