It is now getting easier to commute to New York City from Jersey City. Discounts are being offered for those who want to take the ferry out of Port Liberté.

Riders can catch the ferry at Port Liberté and be at Pier 11 in Manhattan in under 15 minutes. Jersey City officials have also announced that they are going a step further.

Those who do not have a vehicle can get a ride to the ferry for free. Under this new deal, the ferry out of Port Liberté to Manhattan will now cost $8, down from the original price of $13.

"I think it's amazing for students and for families that need help and just need help to get into New York City in a quick way. And it also reduces a lot of the traffic issues,” says Jersey City resident Danielle Fornes.

The service had stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic and only recently returned. This is a huge help to commuters like Fornes, who lives in Port Liberté, a neighborhood on the southern end of Jersey City. It is located nowhere near the two downtown ferries.

Fornes says this also helps her daughter who attends school in Brooklyn. Her commute to class was over an hour via the PATH.

"Pier 11 and then I walk two blocks and then take a two-stop train and then I'm right at school,” says Jolie Fornes. “I would probably say 35-45 minutes.

Jersey City officials say one goal is to help low- and middle-income residents who want to use the ferry. Since this terminal is on the outskirts of town, getting here is not easy. Jersey City will provide free rides through its own Via Transportation service.

"The state's partnership will allow us to take people from their homes with Via to the ferry terminal and obviously across the [Hudson] River,” says Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.

Fulop says he is hoping those in the neighboring Greenville section of Jersey City who need to work in New York start to take advantage.

“I think they will because in warm weather the ferry is a great way to go across the river,” the mayor says.

The program has already started.

Jersey City residents can call Via for a ride as long as they say they are going to the ferry terminal. The trip is free.