Fire Island Ferries Inc. released an update on their suspension of services to the Village of Ocean Beach.
The ferry company said that as the two parties continue to work on a new lease agreement, the ferry company has extended passenger and freight services to Ocean Beach until March 7.
Previously, Fire Island Ferries planned to cease all public transportation to Ocean Beach starting March 1 after failed contract negotiations with the Village of Ocean Beach board.
“Fire Island Ferries and the Village of Ocean Beach are committed to working together and finalizing a new agreement prior to March 7th,” the ferry company said in a statement on their website.
Last month, Ocean Beach Mayor James Mallott called Fire Island Ferries’ decision “dangerous” and
“detrimental” for Ocean Beach residents and its surrounding communities.
He added that ridership to Ocean Beach accounts for approximately 60 percent of Fire Island Ferries’ volume and year-round residents, visitors, firemen, police officers, construction workers, and others rely on the ferries as “their port of call.”
“The Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Ocean Beach remain committed to establishing a negotiated outcome that puts partnership rather than brinksmanship at the core,” Mallott said in his statement.
This is a developing story. Continue to follow greaterlongisland.com for updates.
Top: Photo courtesy of Fire Island Ferries Inc.’s Facebook page.
