The Department of Transportation’s Ferry Boat Discretionary Program was announced by U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer, who also launched an initiative to acquire new CNG buses for Queens and Brooklyn, and Kirsten Gillibrand. “Converting the Staten Island Ferry to liquefied natural gas is a win-win-win: It will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lower operating costs and help the environment,” said Schumer.
Staten Island ferryboats currently run on ultra-low diesel and offer the only service between this borough and Manhattan. They carry more than 21 million passengers per year including 65,000 passengers every weekday, reported local newspaper SIlive.com.
Because of heavy use, the ferries must be constantly fuelled and undergo maintenance work. However, the conversion of LNG will reduce fuel costs by nearly 50 percent, according to ferry officials.
