PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Harwood, Member of Saint George Civic Association
2:44:52
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142 sec
Michael Harwood, a resident of Staten Island and member of the Saint George Civic Association, expresses concerns about the NYC Ferry service to Staten Island. He fears the service may fail due to EDC and Hornblower's lack of responsiveness to rider feedback and failure to learn from past mistakes.
- Criticizes the current ferry route for duplicating existing services and lacking connectivity to other parts of the system
- Highlights EDC's refusal to expand service or improve amenities like WiFi and weather protection at Staten Island ferry stations
- Suggests that EDC's actions may be intentionally setting up the Staten Island route for failure or cancellation
Michael Harwood
2:44:52
Yes.
2:44:52
My name is Michael Harwood.
2:44:53
I'm a resident of the North Shore of Staten Island for over 30 years and a member of the Saint George Civic Association and the associations of Tamil Nadu.
2:45:02
Okay.
2:45:03
Okay.
2:45:04
Saint George Civic Association and its ferry riders committee.
2:45:07
As pleased as I am to have the New York City ferry service between Staten Island Manhattan, I fear it is doomed to failure.
2:45:13
Because EDC and Hornblower have not learned from history, and they do not listen to the riders who are best positioned to advise on how to make the service better and more user friendly as evidenced by the fact that they've left the room.
2:45:24
Back in the 19 nineties, we had a fast ferry from Saint George to Midtown East, which filled a gap for connectivity to the east side.
2:45:32
The service was well used from the beginning until someone decided to change the contract to a new provider on the west side of Manhattan, which basically duplicated the Staten Island ferry in the number one train.
2:45:42
It also had it was not weather protected at the terminals, and there were no services on the boats.
2:45:47
It ultimately failed because of lack of interest in ridership.
2:45:50
Once again, thanks to EDC.
2:45:51
We have a single line ferry to the west side.
2:45:54
With no connectivity to the rest of the system, whether Brooklyn or the east side of Manhattan.
2:45:58
My colleagues was spoken to the need for service to Brooklyn from Staten Island, but the EDC has told us they have no plans to expand the service.
2:46:06
Even though on Staten Island, the docks exist between Staten Island, Brooklyn, and there'd be no infrastructure costs whatsoever to expand service there.
2:46:14
When as when e New York City ferry has added summer service to the railways, they did so for Brooklyn and Queens, but not Staten Island, which has no form of mass transportation to get to the beaches and railways.
2:46:25
And to add insult, which just shows that EDC is selective and dismissive of Staten Island when they decide where to expand service.
2:46:31
And then to add insult to injury, they have made clear that it will do nothing to respond to our requests to connect the easy mistakes in the system.
2:46:38
We have asked them to add service of WiFi on Staten Island ferryboat, and then he he and I see the ferryboats from Staten Island.
2:46:44
They said, wait.
2:46:45
We'll see you in the future.
2:46:47
We have asked them to protect the ticket booths, which is open to the rain and weather.
2:46:52
So that people can buy tickets.
2:46:53
They've said, no.
2:46:54
We're not gonna we will not do that.
2:46:55
We have no plans to do that.
2:46:57
The ferry dock is open to wind blowing from the sides.
2:47:00
They said we're not gonna put up any tarps to help you.
2:47:03
They will not do anything, and it's They're setting up this route for failure.
2:47:08
It seems to try to reduce ridership so they can cancel it.
2:47:11
And either it's that or it's just indifference and incompetence.
2:47:14
Thank you.
Amanda Farías
2:47:15
Thank you.