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NYC Ferry Service Suspended Due to Icy Conditions
The citywide ferry system has been shut down since late January due to dangerous ice buildup in the waterways.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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New York City's publicly subsidized NYC Ferry service has been suspended since January 27th due to icy conditions in the city's waterways. The entire ferry system, which serves all five boroughs, is likely to remain shut down until at least the middle of next week as the Economic Development Corporation, which oversees the service, says large sheets of ice have formed in the Hudson River and East River, making navigation hazardous. This is the first time the full ferry system has been shut down for multiple days since it launched in 2017.
Why it matters
The NYC Ferry system has become a popular public transit option, especially for commuters in parts of the city with limited subway access. The suspension is a major inconvenience for the roughly 7.4 million riders who used the service last year, with a winter weekday average of 13,000 riders. The shutdown highlights the vulnerability of the ferry system to extreme winter weather conditions.
The details
The ferry service, operated by the private company Hornblower Group, has been hobbled since New York received about a foot of snow almost two weeks ago. Bitter cold came after the storm, leading to the deaths of 17 New Yorkers, and the city is bracing for another wave of frigid temperatures this weekend. Large sheets of ice have formed in the Hudson River north of the city and drifted south, making navigation along the ferry routes difficult. The East River's tides also contribute to shifting ice accumulation near the ferry docks, blocking routes.
- NYC Ferry has been shut down since January 27, 2026.
- The ferry service is likely to remain suspended until at least the middle of next week.
The players
NYC Ferry
A publicly subsidized ferry service with stops in all five boroughs of New York City, launched in 2017.
Economic Development Corporation
The city agency that oversees the NYC Ferry service.
Hornblower Group
The private company that operates the NYC Ferry fleet.
Stephanie Ebeyer-Verdirame
A 50-year-old interior designer in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn who relies on NYC Ferry for her commute to Lower Manhattan.
Rachel Manus
A 37-year-old visitor from Belfast, Northern Ireland who was unable to ride the ferry due to the suspension.
What they’re saying
“The safety and reliability of NYC Ferry service is our highest priority.”
— Seth Schuster, Spokesman, Economic Development Corporation (dnyuz.com)
“It's a major inconvenience. I wonder when I will be able to use the remaining trips on my 10-ride pass, which expires after 90 days.”
— Stephanie Ebeyer-Verdirame, Interior designer (dnyuz.com)
“If it's a safety issue, I'd rather we don't go than go under. I can't swim.”
— Rachel Manus (dnyuz.com)
What’s next
The Economic Development Corporation said riders whose tickets expired during the suspension could request new passes.
The takeaway
The suspension of the NYC Ferry service highlights the vulnerability of the city's public transit system to extreme winter weather conditions, and the importance of reliable transportation options for commuters and visitors alike.
