Circle Line Will Circle Manhattan Until at Least 2008
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Circle Line, the ferry company that last June lost its $350 million contract with the National Park Service to provide service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, will hold onto the valuable route at least until 2008, the National Park Service announced yesterday.
A California-based company, Hornblower Yachts, Inc., was originally supposed to take over the route on October 2. Stalled negotiations between the lame duck operator and Hornblower over the value of seven ferries it is required to sell will have passengers riding Circle Line, often maligned for their substandard customer amenites and long lines, at least until next year.
The contract requires Hornblower to purchase Circle Line’s boats, which Circle Line claims are worth more than their appraised value of $19 million. The transition between operators will be smoother for customers and ferry operators alike if it occurs during the off-season, a spokesman for the Parks Department said. Fares will still be increased by 50 cents beginning October 2.
