Government

Rockland County Launches TOR Ferry Connection Bus To Serve Weekend Ferry

Published

3 months ago

July 22, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day and the Rockland County Department of Public Transportation have announced that Transport of Rockland (TOR) will launch the TOR Weekend Ferry Connection bus service starting on Saturday, July 6^th. The bus service will provide connecting transit service for Metro-North Hudson Line customers who travel to Haverstraw via the Haverstraw-Ossining Weekend Ferry, enabling them to travel beyond the Ferry Landing via public transit. The TOR Ferry Connection will also provide service for Rockland residents who want to use the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry to travel to Westchester or to NYC via Metro-North Hudson Line trains from Ossining.

The TOR Weekend Ferry Connection bus will serve Metro-North’s Haverstraw-Ossining Weekend Ferry service pilot program, which began on May 25^th and is expected to operate through November 10^th. The TOR Ferry Connection will meet each of the ferries arriving and departing the Haverstraw Ferry Landing on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend ferry customers can board the TOR Ferry Connection upon arrival at the Haverstraw Ferry Landing. The Ferry Connection enables easy access to downtown Haverstraw, which is approximately one mile from the Landing, and then travels through the Village of Haverstraw to the Village of West Haverstraw to serve the Garner Arts Center, south on Route 9W to serve Rockland Lake State Park in Valley Cottage, then to downtown Nyack before heading west on Route 59 to serve the Palisades Center mall in West Nyack. At Palisades Center, the bus will serve the stores bus stop at Macy’s as well as the Commuter Parking Lot.

“Rockland County is happy to be able to host visitors from around our region, who are able to use the new Haverstraw-Ossining Weekend Ferry Service to travel to Rockland,” said County Executive Ed Day. “With the TOR Weekend Ferry Connection bus service, those visitors now have a way to travel from the Ferry Landing to the various destinations and attractions Rockland has to offer.”

“This is the perfect time to launch this new service – with summer in full swing and so many opportunities to enjoy our Hudson River waterfront, arts centers, restaurants, shops and more,” Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. “This effort means visitors can leave their cars at home but still have a reliable way to visit the many cultural, recreational and historic landmarks that help make Rockland County the special place we all love. Likewise, Rockland residents will have a special way to travel across the Hudson to visit the east side and even travel further into New York City if they choose. Thanks to all who have helped make this new service possible.”

“We are pleased that our Department was able to work quickly to put the TOR Weekend Ferry Connection into place,” said Rockland County Public Transportation Department Acting Commissioner Doug Schuetz. “Thanks to the hard work and efforts of our staff and bus operator, and with operating assistance funds from Metro-North, TOR can now provide this valuable service.”

“This new bus route combined with the weekend ferry service offers visitors and residents a convenient option to explore Rockland’s unique tourism assets,” said Lucy Redzeposki, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “Expect the unexpected in beautiful Rockland County!”

“The Village of Haverstraw is thrilled that the County of Rockland has recognized this opportunity to promote tourism along the Hudson River provided by the start of the weekend ferry service,” said Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut. “Now those from the east side of the Hudson can have the chance to explore Rockland’s river communities at their leisure and Rocklanders can enjoy the opportunity to explore Westchester and beyond via Metro-North.”

Customers using this TOR connecting service will be able to transfer to other transit options at TOR transit hubs in the Village of Haverstraw, downtown Nyack and at Palisades Center to access additional destinations. The TOR Ferry Connection schedule also includes a final evening trip to Palisades Center for Metro-North customers who may stay beyond the 8:20 pm departure time of the last ferry back to Ossining. This provides an option for Metro-North customers to return to the Hudson Line at Tarrytown via the Hudson Link bus from Palisades Center or downtown Nyack.

The TOR Weekend Ferry Connection schedule features 26 trips per day for both Saturdays and Sundays, including 13 Southbound trips that meet all ferry arrivals and 13 Northbound trips that meet all ferry departures at the Haverstraw Ferry Landing. The service operates between 8 am and 10 pm. The service is provided by the Rockland County Department of Public Transportation and Metro-North Railroad, in partnership with the Rockland County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Village of Haverstraw. The TOR Weekend Ferry Connection service is fare free.

Go to www.rocklandbus.com for more information and to sign up for free Transit Alerts. For trip planning assistance, call the Transit Information Center at (845) 364-3333, Monday-Friday from 9 am and 5 pm.

Government

Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday November 3rd

Published

1 day ago

October 29, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health wants to remind residents that daylight saving time will end for the year at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. This is when we “fall back” and gain an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night.

Besides changing your clocks, this is also a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure that they are in good working order, not expired and if battery operated replace the batteries with new.

The Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can assist low-income residents, seniors, and at-risk families with replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or changing the batteries, at no charge, as supplies last. For more information, call (845) 364-3290 or visit the Healthy Neighborhoods Program.

Remember, too, that after the time change, it can be darker earlier in the evening, so be extra careful. This can make it harder for both drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to see and increase the risk of a crash. Also, adjusting to the new schedule can take a few days, and people may be more tired than usual when it’s dark. Visit the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for more information about drowsy driving.

Government

The Warming Center is Ready for Guests

Published

3 days ago

October 27, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Social Services Joan Silvestri announce the opening of the Rockland County Warming Center, located at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona, for the upcoming winter season. The center, which will be operated by the Department of Social Services (DSS), can provide shelter for up to 75 homeless single adults.

“This Warming Center remains a critical resource in protecting our most vulnerable residents from the harsh conditions of winter,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I am incredibly proud of the collective efforts that make this possible, and I commend our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to the well-being of those in need.”

Guests at the Warming Center will have access to not only a warm, safe place to rest but also essential services such as showers and laundry facilities. In addition, staff will be on-site to assist individuals with benefits and referrals to other support programs.

Starting in November 2024, the Warming Center will operate during nighttime hours when the wind chill drops below 35°F. Beginning December 1, 2024, the center will be open every night, with daytime operations triggered only if the wind chill again falls below 35°F. This schedule will continue through March, then during the month of April, the center will revert to night-only operations under the same temperature criteria.

Transportation to the Warming Center will be provided from the following locations:

Nyack: 7:00 p.m. at Broadway and Burd Street, in front of the First Reformed Church of Nyack.
Haverstraw: 7:30 p.m. from the Commuter Parking Lot across from Village Hall.
Spring Valley: 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. at the Spring Valley Bus and Train Station.
Pomona: 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Building L Bus Shelter on the Health Center campus.

For more information, please contact the Rockland County Department of Social Services at (845) 364-2332 or 845-608-6670.

Additionally, the Department of Social Services will continue to operate the long-standing Emergency Family Shelter, providing services for children and families in need.