Commuters can soon expect to pay more to ride ferries [1] across the Hudson River to Metro-North [2] stations. The ferries are popular because they allow commuters to reach the train lines without paying exorbitant parking fees at the stations. They also reduce the distance commuters must drive to get to the station.

Newburgh-Beacon ferry connecting commuters to Metro North. (Times Herald-Record photo)The price of riding a ferry is going to increase because the Federal Highway Administration [3], which has so far contributed $11 million to the ferry system with the understanding that it would reduce traffic congestion, is no longer going to subsidize the operation.

The ferries will now be run jointly by the Department of Transportation [4] and Metro-North, and they will cost commuters slightly more, although the exact increase is yet to be determined.