This weekend packs more transit curveballs than a typical Friday in New York. The Five Boro Bike Tour takes over the streets Sunday, NYC Ferry is rolling out a South Brooklyn schedule update starting Monday, and the spring schedule is in its final stretch before summer service kicks in. Here’s everything bus and ferry riders need to know before the weekend.
Five Boro Bike Tour: How Bus Service Gets Hit on Sunday
The TD Five Boro Bike Tour — one of the city’s largest annual events — runs through all five boroughs on Sunday, May 3. The route touches Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, and the MTA has confirmed that numerous bus routes will operate with street diversions throughout the day.
While specific detour maps are updated in real time, riders on crosstown routes in Manhattan and surface routes near the course in Brooklyn and Queens should plan for delays. The MTA’s guidance: check MTA Bus Time (bustime.mta.info) for live tracking and board at alternate stops if your normal stop is temporarily bypassed.
Riders who need to get around the city on Sunday are better served by the subway, which is unaffected by surface street closures (though it has its own weekend work — see the subway update for details). If you absolutely need a bus, give yourself at least an extra 20–30 minutes and follow MTA alerts in the app.
NYC Ferry: South Brooklyn Schedule Update Arrives Monday
Starting Monday, May 4, the South Brooklyn route gets an updated schedule that runs through Memorial Day weekend. The weekend South Brooklyn schedule has already been in effect since the spring schedule launched April 8 — this Monday update applies specifically to weekday service and refines timing to better serve commuters through the end of May.
If you ride the South Brooklyn route to work, now’s the time to re-check departure times in the NYC Ferry app or at ferry.nyc — don’t assume your old schedule holds next week.
What’s Still Running This Weekend on NYC Ferry
The current NYC Ferry spring schedule runs through May 17, after which summer service begins. Here’s the current weekend picture:
- East River: Splitting into two separate routes on weekends all day — check the app for the updated routing before you board.
- Rockaway, Astoria, and St. George: Running boosted weekend frequency under the spring schedule.
- Wall St./Pier 11 ↔ Red Hook Shuttle: A point-to-point shuttle between Red Hook/Atlantic Basin and Wall St./Pier 11 is operating certain weekend mornings (7:30–9:00 a.m.) to accommodate cruise passenger demand. Check ferry.nyc for specific days.
Staten Island Ferry: Still Free, Still Frequent
No schedule changes to report for the Staten Island Ferry this weekend. It remains free, runs 24/7, and is one of the most reliable ways to cross the harbor. On a clear spring weekend, it also happens to be one of the best free rides in the city — the view of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan doesn’t get old.
Governors Island Ferry Opens for the Season
Governors Island is open for the 2026 season and ferry service is running from Lower Manhattan (Battery Maritime Building) and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Weekend service operates regularly with departures throughout the day. Check govisland.com for the current schedule and arrival/return times — a day trip to Governors Island is one of the best low-cost weekend moves in New York.
Weekend Ferry Quick Reference
| Route | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| East River | Running, split into 2 routes | Check app for updated routing |
| South Brooklyn | Running (spring schedule) | Weekday schedule updates Mon May 4 |
| Astoria | Running, boosted frequency | Spring schedule through May 17 |
| Rockaway | Running, boosted frequency | Note: Rockaway Park Shuttle (subway) is suspended — ferry is a good alternative |
| St. George | Running, boosted frequency | Spring schedule |
| Staten Island Ferry | Running 24/7, free | No changes |
| Governors Island | Running | From Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridge Park |
| Wall St./Pier 11 ↔ Red Hook shuttle | Running select weekend mornings | 7:30–9a for cruise demand |
Commuter Tip: If the Rockaway Park Shuttle shutdown has you stuck this weekend, NYC Ferry’s Rockaway route is your best alternative. The ferry docks at Beach 108 St and connects to the broader Rockaway Peninsula. It runs with boosted weekend frequency under the spring schedule — and frankly, the boat beats the shuttle bus on a May morning.
Looking Ahead: Summer Schedule Starts May 18
The NYC Ferry summer schedule launches May 18, bringing expanded service across multiple routes. If your commute depends on the ferry, it’s worth checking ferry.nyc the week of May 11 for the full summer schedule before it goes live.
Current ferry schedules and real-time tracking are available at ferry.nyc and in the NYC Ferry app. Bus detour updates are available at bustime.mta.info and the MTA app.
Sources: NYC Ferry (ferry.nyc), MTA planned service changes, Bike New York Five Boro Bike Tour 2026.
