Ally

EDGEWATER -- The number of p***engers on the four-month-old ferry to Manhattan has risen 59 percent since its inception, a new report shows.

The report, which was released this week, is a monthly analysis by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey of ferry ridership. It shows p***enger numbers on the ferry to West 39th Street increased to 554 riders a day in June from 348 riders a day in March.

NY Waterway officials say the ridership increase results from better marketing and word-of-mouth advertising by p***engers.

"I can see it only increasing more as more and more surrounding areas learn about it," said Peggy Boyce, a spokeswoman for NY Waterway.

Boyce said summer tourists heading for Manhattan probably did not account for the increase, because the line operates only on weekdays at rush hour.

A monthly p*** on the ferry is $230. An adult one-way fare is $8. Fares are expected to rise this fall because of the increasing price of fuel, Boyce said. No date is set for the fare increase, she said.

Ridership on a Fort Lee bus shuttle has also increased to about 50 people daily, said Fort Lee Parking Authority Chairwoman Kay Nest. The shuttle, from the borough's municipal lot to the ferry terminal, started in April.

Edgewater receives 25 cents from NY Waterway for each ticket sold. The borough runs two jitney buses for the ferry.

For the ferry service to be profitable, NY Waterway has estimated it would need 676,000 p***engers in the service's first year.

But that would mean carrying at least 1,000 more p***engers each day.

"I think the numbers will definitely increase as more and more people and towns become more and more aware of the benefits of taking the ferry," Boyce said.

Edgewater taxpayers will pay about $5.3 million as part of the estimated $17.4 million bill for the ferry landing and a marina.

(North Jersey Media)