KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING

KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING  

State Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin today said they will do everything possible to work to ensure that ferry service continues to operate.

Media outlets recently reported SeaStreak Ferry Service is in the process of being sold by their parent company Sea Containers Ltd.  Currently, they are evaluating purchase offers from several bidders, including one from Trinidad and Tobago. SeaStreak operates service to lower midtown Manhattan from its Highlands and Atlantic Highlands locations.

“If ferry services were to stop it would be a disaster,” said Kyrillos, R-Monmouth and Middlesex.  “The trains and buses would not be able to accommodate the commuter fallout. This community has grown around this service and we must work to ensure that ferry service continues. Unlike other forms of mass transportation, the state does not regulate ferry operations, which can be both good and bad. Nevertheless, we are working closely with state, county and local officials, as well as communicating with Seastreak itself to ensure it does not happen.”

The legislators said that they have reached out to several individuals hoping to get to the bottom of a rumor that the ferry company has already been sold.  Senator Kyrillos noted that he has been in contact with the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Kris Kolluri, to discuss the issue.

“I am definitely concerned about the negative impact the potential sale of SeaStreak Ferry Service would have on commuters throughout New Jersey,” said Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer.  “It would be devastating to this entire region if the company was sold and services were shut down.  New Jersey is the most congested state in the nation and it is essential that we fight to keep alternative transportation operations like this ferry service up and running.”

Beck noted that she recently wrote a letter to SeaStreak Ferry Service asking representatives from the company to meet with her and other area legislators to discuss the important transportation matter. 

“Commuters need to know sooner rather than later if they will continue to have access to a ferry service to New York,” added Kean, R-Monmouth.  “This ferry service is an integral part of this region’s transportation operation.  In fact, the company expects to transport close to a million passengers just this year.  Without question, if this service is shut down it will wreak havoc on surrounding communitities."

The legislators said they will be working with officials from SeaStreak and the New Jersey Department of Transportation to ensure ferry operations are not disrupted by the sale of the company.

“Over 2,000 people use this ferry service daily. It is important that we maintain open communication with Seastreak to make sure that our residents’ needs continue to be met,” said Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.

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