NYC DOT Press Release: NYC DOT, NYCEDC Announce Return of Refreshments on the Staten Island Ferry

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball announced the return of refreshments on the Staten Island Ferry. Under a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued today, the operator will be responsible for selling food and drinks aboard in-service vessels – including alcoholic beverages. The RFP will be open through March 7, 2024, and refreshments areas are anticipated to be in place by fall 2024. This will mark the first time refreshments have been offered on the boats since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The selected operator will be serving aboard the busiest municipal ferry service in the country. Roughly 45,000 passengers ride the Staten Island Ferry on an average weekday, with about 15 million riding people annually. The selected operator will sign on for a period of 10 years, with the option for NYCEDC to extend the lease for two additional five-year periods, for a total of 20 years.

"The return of food and refreshments to the Staten Island Ferry has been a long time coming," said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. "For the daily commuters in my district, who rely on the ferry five days a week, the closure of food concessions due to the pandemic has been a serious inconvenience. The reinstatement of food and refreshments on the Staten Island Ferry not only caters to the practical needs of my constituents– it also enhances the overall experience for all the tourists who visit. It's more than just a return of ferry beers; it's a return to normalcy, and I appreciate the DOT acknowledging the importance of bringing our food concessions back in 2024."

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