Government

Rockland County Launches TOR Ferry Connection Bus To Serve Weekend Ferry

Published

1 year ago

July 22, 2024

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

End of an Era: Philadelphia Mint Strikes Final U.S. Penny

Published

3 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

Rockland Report Admin

PHILADELPHIA — November 12, 2025 — After more than two centuries in production, the United States Mint in Philadelphia has struck the nation’s final one-cent coin, officially marking the end of the penny’s long and storied history in American commerce.

The last batch of pennies rolled off the presses Wednesday morning at the historic Philadelphia Mint, where the first U.S. coins were produced in the 1790s. The ceremonial strike was attended by Mint officials, collectors, and invited guests — all witnesses to the conclusion of a 230-year tradition.

“The penny has served the nation well, but the economics simply no longer make sense,” Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson said at the event. “This is both a farewell and a celebration of American coinage history.”

Rising Costs and Changing Times

The decision to end penny production follows years of debate over the coin’s future. According to the Mint, each penny now costs nearly four cents to produce, far exceeding its one-cent face value. Inflation, rising metal costs, and declining cash transactions accelerated the decision.

Existing pennies will remain legal tender, but no new coins will be made for general circulation.

A Special Final Strike

The final coins, minted in Philadelphia, bear a unique “Ω” (Omega) mint mark to symbolize the end of production. These pieces will not enter circulation; instead, they will be archived, auctioned, or reserved for collectors.

The standard design — featuring President Abraham Lincoln’s portrait and the Union Shield reverse — remains unchanged for this last issue.

A Legacy Spanning Generations

Since 1909, the Lincoln cent has been one of the most recognized coins in the world. For many Americans, it represents more than small change — it’s a cultural artifact found in pockets, piggy banks, and time capsules for generations.

“The penny was the first coin many of us held as children,” said numismatist Jennifer Stapleton of the American Numismatic Association. “Its retirement closes a chapter of everyday Americana.”

Philadelphia’s Historic Role

The Philadelphia Mint, the nation’s first and largest coin-production facility, has been responsible for most of the country’s pennies throughout history. Until recent decades, Philadelphia-minted coins typically carried no mint mark, making them the default U.S. issue.

Government

Rockland County Launches $2 Million Emergency Food Plan Amid Federal SNAP Lapse

Published

4 weeks ago

November 9, 2025

Rockland Report Admin

The County of Rockland has approved a $2 million Emergency Food Assistance Plan with the Regional Food Bank to help families impacted by the federal SNAP benefit lapse caused by the ongoing government shutdown.

More than 19,000 Rockland households, including over 54,000 children and adults, are affected and now face increased food insecurity.

The plan will roll out in two phases through November 30. The first phase, now underway, includes $700,000 in grants to 43 local food pantries and $300,000 for countywide food distribution events. A second phase will follow if the shutdown continues.

At the first event, held November 6 at Clover Stadium in Pomona, volunteers distributed 20,000 pounds of food—enough to serve about 375 households. More events will be announced in the coming days, and the Regional Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help with future distributions.

The second phase, set to activate November 15–30 if the federal shutdown continues, will extend the same structure to sustain support through the end of the month.