Monday marked the public opening of the South Ferry Station in Manhattan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority sees this station as “intermodal transit center.” It links subway services with bus and ferry routes.
New York Governor David Paterson led the grand opening. Other dignitaries present included Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as members of the state’s Congressional delegation and MTA officials. According to Paterson the new station is a symbol of “not only our joint city, state and federal commitment to rebuilding Lower Manhattan, but also our commitment to mass transit in New York State.”
The original ferry station was built in 1905 and located across the street from the Staten Island Ferry. Hopelessly outdated, it has been completely revamped with seven escalators, two ADA-compliant elevators, and multiple exits. The station features several green features, the first of their kind in NYC. While the previous station could only accommodate five cars of each train, the new station is large enough for ten-car subway trains to load and unload safely.
The new station is expected to be a boon for tourists as well as local commuters. Visitors to the city will find a range of transportation available to see the sights of New York. There are also accommodations ranging from the ubiquitousNew York airport hotel to discount hostels to luxury hotel suites in New York.
It has been nearly twenty years since New York opened a new subway station and according to the MTA, the station “is the first major public transportation project to open Downtown since 9/11.” The MTA has several other Manhattan projects in development, including the rennovation of Peter Minuit Plaza, located above the South Ferry Station.
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