After failed negotiations with the Village of Ocean Beach board, Fire Island Ferries, Inc. plans to cease all public transportation to Ocean Beach beginning on March. 1.
The ferry company released an official statement on their website that mentions they had been operating under an expired contract for over a year and that as of Feb. 14, a new agreement had not been reached with the Village.
Fire Island Ferries announced that all ferry, freight and water taxi services to and from Ocean Beach will be suspended until further notice.
“We apologize for the hardship this will undoubtedly cause, and we will continue to work with the Village of Ocean Beach board to reach a new agreement as soon as possible,” the statement reads. “It has been our privilege to provide these services to our customers and friends over the years, and we will continue to make every effort to work with the Village of Ocean Beach board to finalize a new agreement prior to March 1, 2022.”
For now, all passenger ferries traveling to Ocean Beach will arrive and depart from Seaview, and all freight services will arrive and depart from Ocean Bay Park.
Any updates regarding services to Ocean Beach can be found at fireislandferries.com.
Greater Long Island reached out to the Ocean Beach Village board for comment on the situation and await their reply.
According to minutes posted from a Jan. 15 Board of Trustees meeting, a public hearing is set for March 19 at 11:30 a.m., where the amendment of Village Code Chapter 106, Section 106-4 thru 106-11 Water Taxi’s and Charter Boats will be discussed.
This is a developing story. Check back in with greaterbayshore.com for more on this breaking news.
Top: Fire Island Ferry pulling into the Ocean Beach terminal. Photo by Ana Borruto.
