New operator for ferries

New operator for ferries

NEW YORK (AP) — New Year’s Day brought a new operator for the ferries that shuttle sightseers to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Statue Cruises LLC won the lucrative ferry service contract to the islands in New York Harbor after promising to reduce wait times and offer such amenities as multimedia presentations and organic food. They also say their ferries will be equipped with engines that consume less gas and produce less exhaust.

National Park Service, which operates the two monuments, in June chose Statue Cruises to succeed Circle Line, which has run the ferry service for more than half a century.

Round-trip tickets to both islands cost $12 for adults and $5 for children.