The New NYC Ferries Have Set Sail

New York City launched its new ferry service on this foggy Monday morning.

The NYC Ferry service started Monday with a Rockaway, Queens, route. The area got priority because residents there have some of the city's longest commutes.

The launch also included a previously existing East River route with refurbished ferries.

NYC Ferry will get a South Brooklyn route on June 1. An Astoria, Queens, route begins in August, followed by Lower East Side and Bronx routes in 2018. An estimated 4.6 million passengers a year are expected to use the ferries, which will cut travel times by as much as two-thirds.

A ride costs $2.75, the same as the subway, and includes transfers. Riders can buy tickets on their smartphones.

The ferries are WiFi capable, and will serve snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Correction: This article previously stated that the ferries take MetroCards. Ferry tickets are, in fact, separate.