Dear Editor:
NY Waterway ferries proved once again this week to be the most historically reliable form of transportation. All NY Waterway ferries ran normally despite the April 16 Nor’ester. High tides, flooding and wind proved to be no match for the ferries. In addition to providing a safe, fast, convenient commuter service, NY Waterway has helped commuters when flooding, snow, derailments or power failures have disrupted other transportation modes.
Our ferries provide safe, convenient and efficient commuter services. Once again, our Captains and Deck Hands, the dedicated men and women who keep our ferries floating, rose to the occasion. They help me maintain my pledge to provide the highest quality service possible.
NY Waterway’s history of proven reliability was seen in December 1992, when ferries created a vital mass transit link during another major Nor’easter, when flooding disrupted PATH service for several days. Added ferry service between the Hoboken and World Financial Center terminals ensured a secure and dependable mode of transportation for commuters.
In February of 1993, when the first attack on the World Trade Center forced the closing of WTC PATH Station, NY Waterway ferries again maintained the critical Hoboken-Lower Manhattan link for several days.
When tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, NY Waterway ferries conducted emergency rescue operation in Lower Manhattan within minutes of the first plane’s collision with the World Trade Center. In the first two hours, 48,000 people fleeing the collapsing towers were transported to NY Waterway ferry terminals in Hoboken and Jersey City. During the after effects of the disaster, NY Waterway started service between Hoboken and Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street, providing the most convenient link to the eastern side of Downtown Manhattan.
When the blackout of August 13, 2003 shut down other modes of transportation, NY Waterway’s ferries ensured that 160,000 people got home that night.
Our commitment to commuters is that we will always get you home.
Sincerely,
Arthur E. Imperatore