New Jersey Governor Chris Christie may remember the Springsteen song’s lyrics, In My Hometown, and how Bruce roamed about Main Street in Freehold as a youngster in pops Buick and as a 35 year old honing his song. Hopefully, none of the Governor’s vehicles have been caught in traffic on Rt. 35 going to the shore on a summer weekend.
With alternatives to car traffic stifled even with shifting gas prices, storms and road congestion, it’s a wonder why other means of transit aren’t developed in New Jersey. A little history in my part of Central Jersey points to Ferries as a chief way to bypass roads.
On the eastern edge of Smith Street in Perth Amboy stands a golden structure etched in the Arthur Kill waterway where Ferry service thrived from colonial America actively running through 1963. The Galloway took travelers from the Amboy capital to the shore and helped immigrants in safe passage from Ellis Island. A local resident said to me recently a one-time fair was 11 cents roundtrip.
On the Governor’s recent trip to Iowa he referred historically to where he would be in the next year as he sought GOP campaign funds to top $60 million. Will he be invited by New Jersey urban business leader Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz to see the 17 million in City investments toward rehabbing piers, scenic walkways, marinas and restaurants damaged by recent storms and to sell waterfront development? Tell him to grab a cab or walk to the waterfront association which has advocated for restored Ferry service.
And why not more Ferry startups? Seastreak Ferry has run a service for Wall Street types from the Highlands for over 2 decades; today’s fare is $45 roundtrip. During post 9/11 Seastreak operated a Ferry from the former JCP&L pier in South Amboy, yet fuel costs and road conflicts closed that site in 2006– their business loss 2.7M in their latest report and is up for sale.
But, many stay hopeful. South Amboy business chief Camille Tooker states, “Two Ferry boats would cost $20 million dollars.” The city has plans before the Department of Transportation with bayside docking, terminal and parking for under 600 cars. And the DOT can support such projects to get cars off the roads with less fumes, with an annual budget of 3.7 billion dollars.
Interestingly, during post Sandy relief efforts, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg established a: Rockaways to Wall Street route by the same Seastreak Ferry operation for a $2 ticket. A dramatic development took place during the actual first response to the World Trade Center attacks when Ferries were a needed way of transport off of lower Manhattan.
Note, I haven’t mentioned the George Washington Bridge once in writing. Most importantly, ferries would put pause on cluttered roads and definitely assist a youngster in enjoying a seabreeze ride to the Atlantic for an affordable fair at least once in their lifetime – Governor.
– Vincent Mackiel
