Terminals

Staten Island Ferry Terminals

Both terminals are equipped with escalators and elevators and operate within ADA guidelines. Passengers using wheelchairs are encouraged to use lower-level boarding at both the Whitehall and St. George Terminals. All passengers are required to comply with applicable U.S. Coast Guard Security Regulations regardless of which level they board from. The Staten Island Ferry does not carry cars. Pets, other than service animals as defined by the American with Disabilities Act, are not allowed in the facilities and/or on the ferry boats, unless they are caged and/or muzzled. Free Wi-Fi service is available at both terminals.

ST. George Terminal

Staten Island

1 Bay Street Staten Island NY 10301
The Staten Island Ferry Terminal has been transformed from a drab, dirty waiting area to a bright, clean transportation gateway. The new terminal features large windows allowing for views of the harbor and high ceilings to provide a well-lit, open environment. There will be a wide range of shops and restaurants, and an outdoor plaza. The transportation connections for ferry, bus, train, and car have been vastly improved. The new terminal incorporates dramatically improved conditions for commuters and visitors. One of the most noticeable changes in the terminal waiting room is the removal of the harbor side brick wall, which has been replaced with a 40-foot tall glass wall. The Art Commission said, “People who are waiting for a ferry boat will be able to look out and see it coming. The new terminal is a true oasis and a fitting gateway for Staten Island.” The renovations have established a truly modern transportation hub for over 70000 daily riders. Passengers at St. George can enjoy enhanced dining options, and a new outdoor promenade will ease existing pedestrian access between Bay Street and the terminal.

The terminal also contains upgraded restrooms, public address system and new signage. A Photovoltaic louver system will save 25% of the energy needed to operate the facility. Other “green” features of the facility include an 18,000-square-foot living roof which will support living vegetation of local flora is visible from the public viewing area of a waterfront plaza atop the terminal building. Instead of a storm water drainage system, run-off will be collected in a cistern and used to irrigate the soil of this roof-top garden. The New York City Economic Development Corporation administered the project on behalf of the Department of Transportation. The New York office of Hellmuth Obata + Kassabaum was the architect for the project, and construction management services were provided by Skanska USA

Whitehall Terminal

Manhattan

4 Whitehall Street New York NY 10004
The new Whitehall Ferry Terminal encompasses a total area of 200,000 square feet, including, a 19,000-square-foot waiting room, 6,000 square feet of concessions, 10,000 square feet of office space, and 10,000 square feet of ancillary support and ferry operation rooms. The previous terminal building was badly damaged by fire in September 1991. An interim waiting room was opened in December 1992. In October of 1992, an international design competition, sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation, was held to select an architectural firm to design the new terminal.

The new terminal includes a vast array of major upgrades.

A 75-foot-high entry hall with panoramic views of the downtown Manhattan skyline and the waterfront; Five new escalators, three wide stairways and one elevator inside the entry hall.
Rooftop viewing decks with benches
Service/concession spaces available for amenities such as cafes and other concessions.
A new state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning system, including a radiant floor.
Photo-voltaic solar panels that convert sunlight to electricity to supply a portion of the terminal’s power.
Police and tourist information offices.
New surfaces and fixtures including vandal-resistance fixtures in bathrooms for ease of maintenance.
State-of-the-art public address system.
Easy connection to South Ferry Subway Station (1 and 9 lines).
Percent for Art installed 28 granite benches entitled Whitehall Crossing that mimic Indian canoes crossing New York Bay. The work was designed by artist Ming Fay.

Some Interesting Facts

The 5 cents fare was established in 1897. On October 10, 1972, the fare was raised to 10 cents. In 1975 the fare was increased to 25 cents. On August 1, 1990, the fare went up to 50 cents. Finally, on July 4, 1997 the fare for foot passengers on the ferry was eliminated.

In 1926 the city’s original white color scheme was eliminated in favor of a reddish maroon. This was changed to municipal orange later so that they could be seen in heavy fog and snow.

In 1817 the cost to cross the harbor was 25 cents and half price for children. This was the cost to ride the Nautilus, the first steam ferry to make the famous trip. The Nautilus was commanded by Captain John De Forest

Three of the ferries that were built to make the trip across the harbor were bought by the U.S. Navy to fight in the civil war. The Southfield I, Westfield I, and the Clifton I. None of these ferries ever returned to New York.

On May 16, 1981, the American Legion was rammed in the fog by a Norwegian freighter.

Steam was used on the Staten Island ferries up until the 1980’s.

The Pvt. Joseph Merrill and Cornelius G. Kolff ferries were converted to prison dormitories for Riker’s Island.

In 1960, a bomb was set off on the Knickerbocker. There were no injuries.

On February 8, 1958, The Dongan Hills was hit by the Norwegian tanker Tynefield. 15 passengers were injured.

In the 1700s, ferry service was provided by private individuals with small twin mast sailboats called per augers.

In 1978, the American Legion crashed into the concrete seawall near the Statue of Liberty ferry port during a dense fog. 173 were injured.