Press Release 12/16/21

SOUTH AMBOY – For more than 20 years the City of South Amboy has been working to establish regular commuter ferry service from the city to Manhattan.On September 13th the North Jersey Transportation Authority gave the City funding authorization to move forward with their long-anticipated project.This critical step will allow the City to advertise for and award a construction contract in the weeks ahead.

“Since the summer months we have been able to reach the end of the planning process and are moving forward with construction”, said Mayor Fred Henry.“Our goal is to work with our operator to establish a temporary service in the upcoming months while our new permanent facility is built”.

The City recently finalized the process for selecting a Ferry Operator and is proud to announce that New York Waterway has been selected to provide passenger ferry service in the City.Established in 1986, NY Waterway is the preeminent ferry provider in the New York metropolitan area with a reputation for reliable premium service.

“We are delighted South Amboy has chosen NY Waterway to provide ferry service. With congestion on our roads increasing and commuters looking for safe ways to travel, this is just the right time to increase transportation options. We look forward to working with the Mayor and his administration to give riders a safe, fast and convenient commute to Manhattan,” said Armand Pohan, Chairman, President and CEO of NY Waterway.

“Both residents and commuters from the area have been waiting for the project to move from planning to reality.With the invaluable help of Congressman Frank Pallone and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin we were able to fully fund this important transportation infrastructure improvement” said Glenn Skarzynski City Business Administrator.

The new facility will be anchored by a two-story ferry terminal and will provide 750 parking spaces in support of new ferry riders.In addition, a waterfront promenade is planned to allow residents and visitors another access to the city’s bayfront.

Mayor Henry added “It is my intent, as adjacent properties develop further, to bring additional public waterside amenities to the residents of the City.While we welcome new residents who want to enjoy the luxury of waterfront living in South Amboy, we want to make sure that the Raritan Bay is fully accessible to everyone.”

The city is currently in the process of selecting the engineering firm that will provide oversight during the construction process.As this process proceeds South Amboy will be soliciting bids to identify who will be awarded the contract to build the new facility.“We fully expect to be able to break ground on this project in early 2022”, said Mayor Henry “and we will work with NY Waterway to establish temporary accommodations to begin service from South Amboy while the complex is being built”.