Dozens rally in Beacon to save the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry
Dozens of Newburgh residents crossed the Hudson River on Tuesday to join their fellow Beacon ferry-riders at the Beacon Ferry Dock, rallying against the MTA's decision to discontinue the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry
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Dozens of Newburgh residents crossed the Hudson River on Tuesday to join their fellow Beacon ferry-riders at the Beacon Ferry Dock, rallying against the MTA's decision to discontinue the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry.
The Newburgh-Beacon ferry has been servicing the community since 2005, allowing for Orange County and Dutchess County residents to travel easily via the Hudson River.
Following the river freezing in January, the ferry service was halted after the Beacon Ferry Dock was damaged.
On June 23, the MTA announced they would be permanently discontinuing the ferry.
Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said in a statement, "With an average daily ridership down to 62 people in 2024, spending $2.1 million per year to operate the ferry just didn’t add up."
Many in both communities disagree.
"Not only did the terminate the service without letting anybody know...We haven't even been able to agree what the ridership actually was," said Newburgh resident Philippe Pierre.
Pierre, alongside other people attending the rally, are hoping that not only will the ferry be reinstated, but that it will be on the water for expanded hours.
"I'm hoping that we can extend the ferry service all day long, every day. It's ridiculous that it doesn't run on the weekends," said Newburgh commuter Richard Gary.
Gary was a frequent ferry rider, who used it to take the Metro-North in Beacon, down to his job in Manhattan.
News 12 was able to exclusively obtain a bipartisan letter signed by Rep. Pat Ryan, and eight other elected officials, asking for the MTA to restore the ferry service. It said, "to take it away would be an immense disservice to our constituents."
On Wednesday, the MTA will host a public session meeting for anyone interested in speaking on the issue.
