Pols Pitch Mets-, Yanks-bound Ferries from Glen Cove - By Long Island Press on February 1st, 2011

Pols Pitch Mets-, Yanks-bound Ferries from Glen Cove - By Long Island Press on February 1st, 2011


Local politicians are pitching ferry service between Glen Cove, Queens and the Bronx for baseball fans who don’t want to drive to see the New York Yankees and the New York Mets play.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced Monday that he has asked the two ball clubs to work with the City of Glen Cove to promote ferries from the waterfront to the stadiums. He’s pushing for discount ticket packages like those offered for Long Island Rail Road riders who take the train to Citifield.

 “With very little investment from the Yankees and the Mets, we have the potential to get thousands of cars off the road, attract multiple ferry operators, and provide a safe and scenic trip for families and friends who want to catch a convenient ride to the ballgame,” Schumer said at a news conference at the Glen Cover Ferry Terminal.

The federally funded project to build the terminal began last June. Glen Cove officials and public transportation advocates have pushed for ferries from Glen Cove to downtown Manhattan and other destinations accessible via the Long Island Sound.
Ferry service to New York baseball stadiums is not be without precedent. Fans can currently ride boats offered by Manhattan-based New York Waterways and New York Water Taxi.

Schumer hopes that ferries from Long Island will bring a boost of economic activity to the Glen Cove waterfront area.
“The ferry terminal and docking facility at Glen Cove Creek is well positioned to handle a variety of uses as they relate to commuting, tourism and recreational components,” Mayor Ralph Suozzi said.
Schumer added: “A partnership between the Yankees and Mets and the Glen Cove Ferry would be a homerun for baseball fans throughout Long Island.”
By Geoff Smith