AGENCY TESTIMONY
Operational improvements and new agreement with Hornblower
0:18:10
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96 sec
NYC Ferry has implemented several operational improvements and entered into a new agreement with Hornblower to enhance the system's efficiency and rider experience. These changes aim to make the ferry service more convenient and accessible.
- Eliminated the $1 bike fee to encourage sustainable transit options
- Entered into a new 5-year operating agreement with Hornblower in October 2023
- Introduced improvements such as free onboard Wi-Fi, upgraded ridership experiences, and system upgrades for increased transparency and efficiency
James Wong
0:18:10
While bike capacity is still limited on vessels, we instituted this change to better connect NYC Ferry with other environmentally sustainable modes of transit and encourage ridership among New Yorkers who want to use bicycles as a last mile transportation option.
0:18:24
When we last testified before your committees in September 2022, we had just released an RFP for a new ferry operator.
0:18:31
After a successful and highly competitive process, we entered into a new 5 year operating agreement with Hornblower in October 2023, a major achievement for the system.
0:18:41
The new the new contract includes major business improvements, including a framework to partner with a corporate name sponsor to rebrand the system and further drive down the subsidy, upgraded ridership experiences like free onboard Wi Fi, behind the scenes system upgrades to increase transparency and efficiency.
0:18:58
The contract has an initial 5 year term with 2, 3 year expansion options, furthering the system to remain a permanent fixture of the New York City landscape.
0:19:09
NYC Ferry has undertaken an expanded public information campaign through digital and in person outreach to familiarize New Yorkers with the benefits of the system and encourage them to experience and ride NYC Ferry.
0:19:20
In addition to our community engagement efforts, A key strategy for this has been our social media outreach.
0:19:25
We've seen NYC Ferry brand engagement grow with creative and sometimes viral social media moments.
0:19:30
NYC Ferry's social media engagement has grown organically with over within over 500% year over year social media growth without spending any money on ads.
0:19:41
NYC Ferry has successfully implemented creative revenue generation to improve the system's financial stability.