NYC Ferry Service Suspended Due to Icy Conditions

Bitter cold and snow have clogged the East River, forcing the shutdown of the popular commuter ferry system.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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NYC Ferry, the publicly subsidized service with stops in all five boroughs, has been shut down since January 27th due to icy conditions in the East River. This is the first time the entire ferry system has been suspended for multiple days since it launched in 2017. The fleet is operated by the private company Hornblower Group, and the service has been popular in parts of the city with few other public transit options.

Why it matters

The ferry service provides an important transportation option for many New Yorkers, especially those in areas with limited subway and bus access. The suspension has been a major inconvenience for regular commuters who rely on the ferries to get to work, and it has also disappointed visitors hoping to experience the city's waterways.

The details

Large sheets of ice have formed in the Hudson River and drifted south, making navigation along the ferry routes difficult. The shifting ice near the ferry docks can block the routes, so the fleet is exercising caution. Other city transportation services like NY Waterway have also been disrupted, but the Staten Island Ferry has continued to operate as usual due to its larger boats and deeper propellers.

  • NYC Ferry has been shut down since January 27, 2026.
  • The 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.

Hornblower Group

The private company that operates the NYC Ferry fleet.

Economic Development Corporation

The city agency that oversees the NYC Ferry service.

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 ferries due to the suspension.

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What they’re saying

“The safety and reliability of NYC Ferry service is our highest priority.”

— Seth Schuster, Spokesman, Economic Development Corporation

“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

“If it's a safety issue, I'd rather we don't go than go under. I can't swim.”

— Rachel Manus

What’s next

The Economic Development Corporation said riders whose tickets expired during the suspension could request new passes.

The takeaway

The suspension of NYC Ferry service highlights the importance of this transportation option for many New Yorkers, as well as the challenges the city faces in keeping its waterways navigable during extreme winter weather conditions.