Yonkers Ferry is adding another stop in Midtown thanks to state economic development funds secured by the city, Mayor Phil Amicone announced today. The expanded service will launch on Monday, August 3.

The new funding will allow current ferry service from Yonkers to Battery Park and Wall Street to continue, with an added stop at West 39th Street, for at least another three months. The new stop is expected to grow ridership significantly as passengers traveling to Midtown will enjoy free (included in the price of the ferry ticket) shuttle bus service to several stops along 34th, 42nd and 50th Streets.

The temporary funding comes via a $300,000 loan from the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), which approved the funds just last week. Mayor Amicone expressed his appreciation saying that the loan will allow a vital economic and transportation link to continue while city officials pursue more permanent mass transit funding.

Launched in May of 2007, the ferry service has been an important piece of Mayor Amicone's vision for a revitalized downtown Yonkers, drawing people into the city from across lower Westchester. The only express waterway service from Westchester County to Manhattan, New York Water Taxi has attracted a steady ridership averaging between 70 and 90 people daily.

Two daily trips depart Yonkers Pier at 7:00 and 7:50 a.m., with return trips arriving back in Yonkers at 6:27 and 7:27 p.m. The added Midtown stop is not expected to alter arrival and departure times. An individual fare for monthly roundtrip service is $320.