Metro-North To Resume Ferry Service Across The Hudson River

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferry services will resume Aug. 30 as the region continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and Metro-North Railroad prepares for a post-Labor Day return of office workers and school.

The changes will coincide with increased train service to 83 percent of pre-pandemic levels, MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi announced Monday.

Expanded train service will take effect with the Aug. 29 timetables.

"We are so excited to see the region continue to recover, and our weekday ridership has increased steadily all spring and into the summer," Rinaldi said in the announcement. "Restoring ferry service during weekday peak periods will give our Rockland and Orange County customers returning to work additional options for getting to and from the city and other destinations along Metro-North’s Hudson Line."

Ferry service will connect with morning and afternoon peak trains at Beacon and Ossining. Schedules for the Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferries will be made available in early August, Metro-North officials said.

"People are coming back to work and NY Waterway ferries are here to give them a safe, fast and convenient commute. We’re thrilled to restart the Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon service with Metro-North, and we look forward seeing all our past riders, and many more new ones, back aboard in August," said Armand Pohan, CEO, President and Chairman of NY Waterway.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Metro-North implemented its Essential Service Plan and discontinued service on both ferries.

"I was extremely pleased to hear from Metro-North that they are restoring the Haverstraw-Ossining ferry service and gratified to know that our advocacy was heard. Rockland County commuters need this service now more than ever, and our more than 500 daily pre-pandemic riders will now once again have this vital connecting service option," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

The upcoming Aug. 29 service increase follows up on service increases in April and June.

The April 12 timetables saw the restoration of weekend service to Wassaic and the reopening of the Manitou station, located near Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose. The June 21 timetables added 24 new peak trains on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines, bringing the railroad to 67 percent of its pre-pandemic service levels.