NY Waterway

• Free

Last verified 30 Aug 2026

• Free to download

Last verified 6 Aug 2026

4.8 10641 ratings · App Store

1. 2/5serious issues but was able to make it work

   First off, the bus schedule is the same user-unfriendly interface i saw like 8 years ago when i first got this app. its like constantly refreshing an updated PDF and literally every other transportation app i have seen looked wayyy better even back in like 2019z Second, the tickets were kind of hard to select. Instead of offering a round trip/return ticket after selecting your destination, it just lets you buy more of the same way ticket and i accidentally bought two outbound tickets. I should have read more carefully yes but its just not good design. Third- buying was a nightmare. When you are asked to sign in with Apple or Gmail, apple takes you to a weird sign in page rather than doing the quick FaceID that every other app nowadays has. The Gmail link didnt even work at all so i just made a new account. Then i wanted to pay with the credit card linked to my ApplePay/wallet and i had to put it in manually. at least it had the scan option but i havent had an app ask me to do that in a LONG time. i wish there was a way to buy tickets online from a computer and get them sent to my phone, but as far as i saw it isnt there.

   kabo98 · 30 Aug 2026

2. 1/5Still Archaic

   For a transportation service that has been operating for decades, the NY Waterway app is surprisingly outdated and unreliable when it comes to real-time communication. The app is not useful for timely service updates or notifications. When there are service disruptions, alerts and text messages often arrive after the issue has already occurred, making them ineffective for commuters who rely on accurate, real-time information to plan their trips. There also appears to be a breakdown in customer support. When tickets malfunction or service issues are reported through the app or by email, there is rarely—if ever—a response. NY Shuttle buses are terrible. This leaves customers without answers or accountability. This morning, there are known issues on my route, yet there are still no updates in the app. That lack of communication forces riders to find alternative transportation on their own. Today, I’ll be taking the NJ bus instead. For a company with such a long-standing presence in the region, it’s disappointing that no meaningful investment has been made to modernize this app or improve customer communication. Commuters deserve real-time updates, responsive support, and a system they can actually depend on.

   IamInFortLee · 30 Aug 2026

3. 1/5Does not activate my 7 day ticket after the first use.

   I have never had issues with this app before COVID, however after the ferry started running again, I purchased a 7 day pass and it worked fine on Monday, for the trip into work and the return trip home. On Tuesday, I tried to activate the ticket and it left me on a loading page. No matter what I did (restart app, restart phone, connect to WiFi, connect to data, delete and reinstall app) it NEVER activated the ticket for the remainder of the week. This has now happened twice. I am furious because I am being forced to spend more money on tickets that I shouldn’t need. I am going to resort to buying paper tickets, but I will end up spending more money that way because they do not sell 7 day paper tickets, only single rides and 10 trip, both of which will be more expensive. I am also frustrated because getting in touch with anyone to assist me is nearly impossible since office hours are limited to 7am-11am. I love the ferry, it is the best part of my commute into the city, but if I cannot get the assistance I need, I will be forced to find an alternative means of getting to work.

   Part-time mercenary · 30 Aug 2026

4. 2/5Room for improvement

   The NY Waterway app gives you the basics in purchasing tickets on the go, checking schedules and even checking the status of your bus. As a customer for NY Waterway for the past year and a half, I use the Bus Locator which tracks the status of your bus arrival. However, to my daily disappointment, the Bus Locator is inconsistent and inaccurate. For example, sometimes you can tell a bus is on its way but you can’t tell which street it’s on for sure. Other times, you see a bus arrive with no indication on the app. As I’m typing this, I’ve been waiting for a NY waterway bus for the past 20 minutes despite a tracking icon displaying its immediate arrival. It’s extremely disappointing to rely on an app that doesn’t work all the time. As I use this app everyday for work, it would be great if there was a fix for this! Thank you.

   Mangiamo · 30 Aug 2026

5. 2/5The worst transit app I’ve ever used.

   Let me preface by saying that the NY Waterway service (ferries, crew, etc.) is pretty good. They have convenient times and friendly staff and the boats are almost always clean. With that out of the way, the app is the literal worst. I’ve many times just waited in line to buy a paper ticket instead of using the app. It will constantly log you out saying that the time zone of your device doesn’t match the time zone of the ticket (I think because I use 24hr clocks instead of AM/PM). I routinely can’t get the tickets to purchase or when they do I’ve bought four instead of one. And it takes absolutely ages for a ticket to activate and be ready. All leading to a very frustrating experience. Not great.

   MattTravels · 30 Aug 2026

3.9 1766 ratings · Google Play

1. 5/5

   stress free way to get to Manhattan from New Jersey

   Godfred Ansong · 6 Aug 2026

2. 5/5

   It is the perfect way to get to nyc then there is a bus to get you around the city.Ive been using this ferry since 1995

   Deborah · 6 Aug 2026

3. 5/5

   good!

   daruby pena · 6 Aug 2026

4. 1/5

   unfortunately I'm not sure how to navigate this app

   Bogdan Znak · 6 Aug 2026

5. 1/5

   I would give 0 stars if I could. These boats are dirty, torn seats. No, functioning bathrooms windows open in the winter ice cold, burning hot in the summer. This is a horrible ferry service with a captured audience. People have no choice but to take these boats.

   Keith Greenhouse · 6 Aug 2026

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• 4.136.0 · 4 Apr 2025