NYC Ferry system’s six routes contact each New York City borough, with 25 landings, and 38 vessels.
As we reported earlier, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has now issued a request for proposals (RFP) looking for an operator for the NYC Ferry public transit system. The RFP comes after New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launched an audit on the system and made a variety of suggestions geared toward enhancing oversight over the ferry system and defending the fiscal integrity of New York City. One of those was that NYCEDC concern a brand new RFP for the system operator.
In truth, says NYCEDC, it’s initiating a aggressive, open bidding course of for a ferry operator, not in response to the comptroller’s advice, however as a result of its present working settlement with HNY Ferry, LLC is coming to an in depth on September 30, 2023.
NYC Ferry is presently serving about 6 million riders (about twice the inhabitants of Arkansas) a yr with that quantity anticipated to develop. The system’s six routes contact each New York City borough, with 25 landings, and 38 vessels.
The system now spans 70 nautical miles and is the most important passenger-only fleet within the U.S., primarily based on fleet and hours of service.
“We are excited about the next phase of NYC Ferry,” stated a NYCEDC spokesman.”We already present a first-class ridership expertise for New Yorkers and guests alike, and now we want to procure a brand new contract, which goals to make NYC Ferry extra environment friendly and financially sustainable, making certain the system stays a everlasting fixture of New York City’s transit panorama.”
Though as soon as an operator is chosen in January of 2023, there will probably be negotiations on the phrases of the RFP, among the many issues NYCEDC is trying to obtain by the brand new contract are:
- First price ridership expertise (NYCEDC is searching for the operator to implement contactless ticketing, further lodging for individuals with disabilities and to proceed the Ferry Discount Program whichoffers $1.35 one-way tickets to eligible riders.)
- NYCEDC intends to introduce contactless ticketing by 2025 to streamline the rider expertise and modernize the boarding course of.
- The RFP requests proposals that embrace detailed workforce growth plans that encourage range, fairness, and inclusion among the many operator’s workforce, and management that promotes training, inner development, and worker retention.
- The RFP requires respondents to submit their plan for a way they are going to work with HireNYC, a free program run by NYCEDC that connects New Yorker’s to the City’s workforce growth providers.
- NYCEDC desires to see operators who’re dedicated to partnering with New York’s biggest maritime establishments, just like the NYC Harbor School, SUNY Maritime, and CUNY Kingsborough, amongst others, to create a powerful pipeline of careers for New Yorkers in any respect talent ranges.
- Respondents will probably be required to submit an M/WBE plan to show how they are going to work with minority/women-owned enterprise enterprises.
REVENUE GENERATION
NYEDC intends to retain all fare income. The company seeks to tie incentive funds to the operator to necessary key efficiency indicators, motivating the operator to enhance service in a approach that may promote ridership progress.
The RFP requires a Revenue Generation Plan with the aim of offsetting prices and invitations inventive pondering from personal sector respondents. NYCEDC will favor proposals with a income plan that apportions many of the internet income generated to town.
NYCEDC expects sturdy reporting practices to make sure effectivity, transparency, and permit for the perfect decision-making.
NYCEDC is searching for an operator who can produce a powerful neighborhood relations crew to construct relationships in every neighborhood NYC Ferry serves to advertise the system and the advantages of NYC Ferry.
