NYC Ferry ridership hit new all-time daily and weekly records during the third week of June 2026, surpassing the last peaks set in early August 2025, say New York City Economic Development Corporation officials.
Driven partly by crowds headed to the New York Knicks’ championship parade June 18, the ferries had their highest daily ridership ever on Saturday, June 20, with 53,375 boardings, surpassing the previous record set Aug. 2, 2025, according to tallies the EDC released Thursday.
The inter-borough system got its highest weekly ridership ever from June 15 through June 21, with more than 260,000 boardings, surpassing the previous weekly record set in August 2025 by more than 20,000 riders.
NYC Ferry ridership surged during the Knicks’ parade with related travel helping to “drive approximately 37,000 boardings, 48% higher than a typical summer weekday,” according to the EDC.
“This record-breaking week is yet another sign of NYC Ferry’s continued momentum and importance to New York City’s transit ecosystem,” said Jenny Pak, EDC’s interim president and CEO. “From daily commutes to beach trips to the Knicks championship parade, more New Yorkers than ever before are choosing NYC Ferry to get around the city – or as we like to call it: ‘The City of Champions’.”
“Whether celebrating an historic championship run, visiting a FIFA World Cup watch party, or just getting to work on time, New Yorkers continue to embrace our local waterways for a reliable, affordable, and fun trip onboard NYC Ferry,” said Timothy O’Brien, senior vice president of ferries and concessions, for Hornblower Group operators. “Last week’s record-breaking numbers set the stage for an exciting summer across the five boroughs, and we look forward to welcoming millions onboard in the months ahead.”
“The new records are especially notable because they were achieved before the start of Rockaway Rocket service, which has historically been a major driver of NYC Ferry’s highest ridership days and weeks,” EDC officials noted. “Rockaway Rocket service was operating when the previous daily and weekly records were set last summer.”
Operators anticipate more increased ridership due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, July Fourth weekend, Sail4th 250 and other major summer events.
As part of the 2026 Summer Ferry Service, the Mamdani administration recently announced the return of Rockaway Reserve tickets that allow passengers to reserve seats on vessels along the Rockaway route. Passengers can purchase Rockaway Reserve tickets for specific weekend and holiday departures. These tickets may only be purchased for riders boarding at Wall Street/Pier 11 and Rockaway.
In the coming weeks, the Rockaway Rocket will also return to service, offering express, fully reservable service for beachgoers from Long Island City and Greenpoint. Non-reserved seats will remain available on every vessel operating along the Rockaway-Soundview route. Both Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket tickets will cost $12 per person.
Spanning 70 nautical miles, the NYC Ferry system operates 38 vessels across six routes and 25 landings, making it the largest passenger-only ferry fleet in the United States.
