If you ride the bus or the boat in New York City, this is a busier moment than the calm Monday timetable would suggest. NYC Ferry’s spring schedule is in effect through May 17 with weekend service boosts on three flagship routes. The East River line is now operating as two separate services on weekends. And on the bus side, riders in Brooklyn are watching the network redesign edge closer to its final plan, while Queens commuters are still settling into the post-redesign network that fully rolled out last fall.
NYC Ferry: Spring Schedule Highlights
The NYC Ferry spring schedule operates from April 8 through May 17, 2026, after which the summer schedule kicks in. The headline change is more weekend service on the routes that fill up fastest in good weather.
- Astoria route: Increased frequency and capacity on weekends. If you’ve been showing up at Hallets Point or 90th Street and watching a packed boat pull away, the spring boost should mean fewer left-behinds on a sunny Saturday.
- Rockaway-Soundview route: Beach-bound riders get more weekend trips. The route still threads through Soundview in the Bronx and down to Rockaway, but the gaps between boats are shorter on Saturday and Sunday.
- St. George route: Weekend frequency is up. This is the connector for Staten Island riders heading to Lower Manhattan beyond what the Staten Island Ferry covers.
- East River route: The big structural change. On weekends, the East River route is now operated as two separate routes all day. During weekday peak periods, the route is also split to speed up service. The intent is shorter dwell times and fewer riders sitting through stops they don’t need. Plan an extra moment at the landing to confirm which boat is yours.
Bus Network: Where Each Borough Stands
Queens: The Queens Bus Network Redesign is fully implemented. The MTA approved the proposed final plan addendum back on January 29, 2025, and the new network — 124 routes, 94 local plus 30 express, a net gain of 11 routes — has been running for several months. A post-implementation analysis covering speeds, ridership, and reliability is expected this spring.
Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign Draft Plan is out, and a Proposed Final Plan was scheduled for late 2025. Riders in neighborhoods like Bay Ridge, Crown Heights, and East New York should keep an eye on community board meetings and the MTA project page if their local route is on the chopping block or being rerouted.
Bronx: The Bronx local bus redesign was implemented back in 2022, so day-to-day service should feel familiar. Express bus riders should always check for spot diversions tied to construction in Lower Manhattan.
Staten Island: The local and express bus networks have been redesigned and are running on the post-redesign pattern. Express bus riders into Manhattan should still budget extra time for traffic on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the morning peak.
What to Watch This Week
The first week of May usually brings the first real warm-weather weekend in New York. Ferry capacity will be tested on Astoria and Rockaway-Soundview. If a Saturday looks beach-perfect, get to the landing 15 minutes earlier than the schedule suggests, especially at South Street, Wall St / Pier 11, and Rockaway.
On the bus side, watch for any final-plan announcements from the Brooklyn redesign team. Once the plan is approved, the implementation timeline typically gives riders several months of advance notice, but route-by-route route changes will be posted on the MTA project page first.
Fares & Payment
NYC Ferry fares are still set per ride at the standard adult rate, with a discount for reduced-fare riders. OMNY is the standard fare on subways and buses, and MTA has been winding down MetroCard sales over the course of 2026 — most riders have already switched. If you’re still tapping with a MetroCard for the bus, this is a good week to set up OMNY on your phone or grab an OMNY card so you’re ready when MetroCard vending finally ends.
How to Plan Your Ride
For ferry trips, start at ferry.nyc for routes and live status. For buses, the MTA’s MYmta app or new.mta.info/schedules will show you the current pattern for any route, including any temporary diversions. If your bus route was renamed or rerouted in the Queens redesign and you haven’t ridden in a few weeks, double-check the route number before you walk to your old stop — some Q-numbers moved in the last round of changes.
Have a smooth Monday, and if you ride the East River boat this weekend, leave a couple of extra minutes at the landing.
