The Carteret Ferry Terminal is part of a redevelopment project on the borough’s waterfront along the Arthur Kill Channel. Mayor Dan Reiman says the terminals construction won’t be complete until 2022, but the ferry can start operating as soon as they acquire a boat with help from NJ Transit.
“We have an existing 1,200-foot pier. In fact, last year, two years ago when we did the test runs we operated off of this existing pier. The infrastructure in town is in place.”
The first operating boat will have a max passenger capacity of 299 people. The borough will bring in a public ferry operator that would likely provide additional boats to accommodate more commuters.
“We’re setting aside ten acres for the construction of a ferry terminal,” Reiman said. “An intermodal transportation hub allowing NJ Transit buses to come here as well as over 1,000 surface parking spaces.”
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded Carteret $6 million to launch the ferry service. US Senator Bob Menendez says it supports relief on the state’s busy rails and highways.
“The closest rail station is Woodbridge. That’s four miles away from the city center and we all know how fast those parking lots fill up every morning. Clearly commuters need more options and getting to Manhattan on a ferry in less than an hour certainly fits that bill,” Menendez said.
Congressman Frank Pallone says the ferry promotes tourism between New Jersey and New York.
“We talk about taking a ferry to New York because they work in New York, want to go to a museum, or a sports event. It works the other way as well. Carteret is going to have this new arts center. Carteret has a lot going on. People from Manhattan may very well decide to come here.”