Commuters and tourists aboard the Staten Island Ferry will soon have more to look forward to than just the scenic vistas of New York Harbor. The NYC Department of Transportation has announced that the ferry will see the return of on-board concessions in the coming two months, as per reports from ABC7NY. The much-anticipated move comes after a dry spell that began since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dunkin' has emerged as the chosen concessionaire to serve up its coffee and donuts to passengers.
Aside from a caffeinated pick-me-up and sweet treats, there's a possibility that ferry riders might also have the option to buy beer, as Dunkin' is in the process of securing the necessary permits to sell alcohol on board. This concession reboot is rooted in a competitive process that started with a Request for Proposal back in January. "The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest municipal ferry service in the country, and we are pleased that riders will soon be able to enjoy concessions once again," NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, underscoring the significant role of the ferry in the city's transit system, as detailed by ABC7NY.
The addition of concessions is not just a one-off arrangement but rather a part of a larger 10-year agreement with the potential to extend up to 20 years, as detailed in statements provided to Gothamist. Initially, Dunkin' is expected to operate on the MV Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis and the MV Dorothy Day, two of the newest additions to the ferry fleet, with a prospect of the service expanding further in the future.
The Staten Island Ferry, a hallmark of NYC commuting and the country's busiest municipal ferry service, accommodates approximately 45,000 passengers on an average weekday and clocks in over 15 million annual riders. It provides an indispensable and free service that connects Lower Manhattan to Staten Island around the clock, all year round. Despite attempts to reach out, representatives for Dunkin' did not return requests for comment on the new development, keeping the doughnut- and coffee-laden details under wraps for now.
