WMBCTV: Commuters Bracing for Impacts of NJ Transit Engineers Strike

Many New Jersey commuters are trading platforms for piers - A trip across the river from New Jersey to New York City could take as little as 8 minutes and for riders trying the ferry for the first time or those rediscovering it, many are saying it’s been a refreshing change of pace from the tracks.

“I take the ferry in and out everyday,” said Jerrod Cate, Commuter. “It’s really nice, the ferry is super easy to deal with. You just go on, show your pass, get on. Nobody really messes with you, you take a nice ride on the water and you come back.”

Whether it’s temporary or long term, some say a little fresh air and a quick ride beats the chaos on the rails -  and for those bracing for the week ahead, they say the ferry is a nice Plan B, if not a new daily routine.

“It’s super on time,” said Cate. “If it says like 22 after, it’s going to be there 22 after and it’s going to leave so it makes it to the next place on time just because it’s on water so you’re not really dealing with traffic per se so just make sure you’re there 5 or 6 minutes early and you should be fine.”

With more than three decades of service, New York Waterway is no stranger to helping passengers stay afloat during disruptions.