The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced it will permanently discontinue the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, drawing strong criticism from Newburgh residents, local officials and transportation advocates.
The service, suspended since January due to damage to the Beacon dock, was replaced with a bus shuttle that will continue through the end of 2025. The MTA cited declining ridership and high operating costs as reasons for the ferry’s termination.

“While the initial suspension was triggered by typical winter river icing, subsequent assessments revealed significant damage requiring long-term solutions,” said Evan Zucarelli, acting senior vice president for operations at Metro-North Railroad, during the June 23 MTA board committee meeting. “Following a comprehensive review of the program’s usage and cost, it’s been determined that the ferry will not return to service.”

Zucarelli noted that ferry ridership had dropped to just 27% of its peak usage in 2024, continuing a decline that began before the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that Metro-North, in coordination with the New York State Department of Transportation, will make the bus shuttle service free starting in 2026 and plans to expand its frequency and coverage.

Community members voiced opposition to the decision during the MTA board’s June 25 meeting. Newburgh resident Alison Filosa called the ferry “an integral part” of the community, saying its loss would leave residents with few reliable options to connect to the Beacon Metro-North Station.

“We’re asking that you pay attention to the transportation needs of Newburgh and reinstate the ferry,” Filosa said.

Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, former chair of Newburgh’s Transportation Advisory Committee, said the decision comes at a time when both cities are experiencing rapid growth.

“This couldn’t happen at a worse time,” she said. “The increased congestion will diminish everyone’s quality of life and further alienate Orange County residents from MTA trains.”

Current Transportation Advisory Committee Chair Jacob Jordan urged residents to advocate for the ferry’s return. “The ferry is a critical connection to our sister city over in Beacon,” he said. “We believe the way forward is through mass advocacy—writing as many letters as possible to show the impact of this decision.”

Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey called the MTA’s move “the worst decision” it has made to date, criticizing the agency for what he described as a lack of communication and planning.

“Our residents love to go over there, and theirs come over here,” Harvey said. “It’s very disappointing that MTA would discontinue services when our commuters rely on this connection to get to New York City.”

Harvey said the city is close to completing the design phase for repairs to the Newburgh Landing dock, which he hopes to reopen in 2027 as part of a revitalized waterfront.

Other regional officials echoed the mayor’s frustration.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, D-104, said he is working with residents and businesses to find a solution. Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus criticized the MTA for choosing a costlier bus option, calling the decision “very unfortunate.”

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan was sharply critical, calling the decision “a reckless abandonment of the people it’s supposed to serve.”

“The MTA should be adding more transit options and lowering costs, not taking away the limited options we do have,” Ryan said. “Our community deserves better than this betrayal of public trust.”

Orange County Legislators Genesis Ramos and Kevindaryán Luján, who both represent Newburgh, said the service had been heavily relied on for years.

“This is devastating for the residents of the City of Newburgh and the surrounding area,” Luján said. “It shows that MTA really has no commitment to the City of Newburgh at this time.”

City Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde said she has received numerous calls from concerned residents and is working with Rep. Ryan’s office to find a path forward.

“It is a priority for the council to work with our local partners to continue to provide ferry service to the Beacon train station,” Monteverde said.

While the MTA’s decision remains in effect, local officials and residents say the fight to restore the ferry is far from over. A "Save the Ferry" rally is planned for Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. at the FerryDock. Free ice cream, courtesy of Midnight Ferry, will be served.