The Staten Island Ferry’s concession stands are set to reopen for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
According to New York City’s Department of Transportation and Economic Development Corporation, the snack and refreshment bars will return within the next two months.
The transportation department also said coffee and donut chain Dunkin’ was selected as the concessionaire after a request for proposals was issued in January of this year.
“The Staten Island Ferry is an iconic part of the fabric of our city and we look forward to offering its millions of riders food and beverages,” Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement provided to Gothamist.
The 10-year agreement also includes the option for the Economic Development Corporation to extend the lease for two additional five-year periods, for a total of 20 years, according to the statement.
It’s likely Dunkin’ will initially operate concession stands aboard the MV Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis and the MV Dorothy Day — two of the Staten Island Ferry’s newest ships — with plans to eventually expand to additional ferryboats in the fleet, the Department of Transportation said.
Representatives with Dunkin’ did not return requests for comment.
The Staten Island Ferry is the country’s busiest municipal ferry service, with about 45,000 passengers on an average weekday and more than 15 million annual riders. It provides free service between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island every day of the week, year-round.