All Aboard: Elizabeth To Open Fast Ferry To New York City

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Coming to Union County this summer, local commuters can hop on a ferry in Elizabeth that will take them right into lower Manhattan in under 30 minutes.

The new ride has been several years in the making, and the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce announced the ferry will open sometime early this summer.

The Elizabeth Fast Ferry will take residents from the Elizabeth Recreation Pier to Pier 15 at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan — just across the street from Fulton Street and one block walking distance to Wall Street.

According to Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage, the idea for the ferry has been suggested for over 25 years.

City officials have also announced that direct connections via shuttle bus to Newark Airport (EWR) will be available from the Elizabeth dock.

Mayor Bollwage is hoping this will also bring some tourism into Elizabeth and Union County, according to Tapinto.

Elizabeth's First Ward Councilman Carlos Torres said the ferry will be named Klara Ann and has a capacity of 122 riders. The ferry will also have heating and air conditioning, allowing it to function all year round. According to Tapinto, the ship has made its way to New Jersey and is currently being painted.

The City has yet to release ticket prices for the ferry, but currently the schedule has the ship running from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., starting and ending in Manhattan.

The preliminary route will take riders under the Bayonne Bridge, passing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and New York's Governor's Island.

More information about the ferry can be found on its website.