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Hudson Valley residents are rallying to revive the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) decided to permanently discontinue the service. The ferry, which connected Newburgh and Beacon, was shut down on Monday (July 7) due to declining ridership, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Metro-North President Justin Vonashek, the service averaged only 62 riders a day, leading to a decision to save $2.1 million annually by ending it permanently.
The ferry had been suspended since January due to ice damage to a Beacon dock, and was replaced by a shuttle bus service. However, local residents and officials are pushing back against the decision. Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey criticized the MTA's lack of communication and planning, calling the move "the worst decision" the agency has made. Harvey emphasized the ferry's importance as a connection for commuters traveling to New York City.
Community members, including Newburgh resident Alison Filosa, voiced their concerns during the MTA board's June meeting. Filosa described the ferry as "an integral part" of the community, while Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, former chair of Newburgh’s Transportation Advisory Committee, highlighted the negative impact on quality of life due to increased congestion.
U.S. Representative Pat Ryan also criticized the decision, calling it "a reckless abandonment of the people it’s supposed to serve." He, along with other local officials, is advocating for the ferry's reinstatement, urging residents to write letters and participate in rallies. A "Save the Ferry" rally took place on Tuesday (July 8) at the Newburgh ferry dock, with free ice cream provided by Midnight Ferry.
Despite the MTA's decision, local officials and residents remain determined to restore the ferry service. The shuttle bus will continue through the end of 2025, and plans are in place to make it free starting in 2026. However, the fight to bring back the ferry is ongoing, with community members and lawmakers vowing to work together to find a solution.