Dating in New York City comes with enough expenses before anyone figures out whether the person across the table can manage a basic conversation, but a new October promotion aims to cut those costs down. Zelle is partnering with NYC Ferry to cover rides on a different route every Thursday throughout October, as timeout.com reported. With five Thursdays in the month, commuters and daters alike get five opportunities to work harbor views into an evening itinerary without paying for the boat ride.
Free Ferry Routes and Schedule
The free transit schedule kicked off on October 1 with the St. George route, followed by the East River on October 8, the Rockaway-Soundview route on October 15, and the South Brooklyn route on October 22, according to timeout.com. The promotion finishes with the Astoria route on October 29. Riders do not need an RSVP or a ticket purchase; they can simply show up and get in line to board on a first-come, first-served basis, nycforfree.co reported. Vessels have limited capacity, and joining the line does not guarantee boarding if a boat reaches maximum capacity.
Affordable Date Night Guide and Small Business Partners
Alongside the sponsored transit, Zelle launched the Zelle NYC Affordable Date Night Guide in collaboration with Ellie Williams, founder of the lifestyle and nightlife publication For the Girls, zelle.com reported. The guide highlights budget-friendly date spots across all five boroughs. Selections include ice cream at Julia Jean’s on the Lower East Side, ceramics dates at BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center in Long Island City, and $10 grab-and-go floral bouquets from Native Rose’s Staten Island coffee truck, as timeout.com and zelle.com detailed.
Additional featured spots include Electrix Vintage’s Williamsburg pop-up, Saint Street Cakes, Upper East Side Petals, Milkweed Studio, and Delicioso Coco Helado in the Bronx, according to zelle.com. “My generation is rethinking what a good night out looks like. It’s less about the price tag and more about the experience, like discovering a new neighborhood, supporting a local spot and having a story to tell after,” Ellie Williams said, as reported by zelle.com.
Financial Realities of Modern Dating
The partnership stems from the Zelle New Economics of Dating Report, which found that 84 percent of Gen Z and millennial respondents say rising costs have affected their romantic lives, timeout.com reported. The study also indicated that an affordable, thoughtful date made a positive impression more frequently than an extravagant one, registering at 38 percent versus 23 percent. “By covering select ferry rides throughout October and highlighting experiences across the city, Zelle is helping New Yorkers spend less getting to their dates so they can spend more with the local businesses that make the city special,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle, according to zelle.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ferry Promotion
Do riders need to sign up or reserve tickets in advance for the free Thursday ferry rides?
No reservations or ticket purchases are required. Riders simply show up at the terminal and wait in line on a first-come, first-served basis, though boarding is not guaranteed if a vessel reaches maximum capacity, nycforfree.co reported.
What time did the October 1 kickoff event take place?
The October 1 opening event ran from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the St. George route departing Midtown West at 4:54 p.m., featuring small businesses, giveaways, and on-board experts, according to nycforfree.co and zelle.com.
Are round-trip tickets covered under the Zelle ferry promotion?
NYC Ferry one-way tickets are valid for a single trip only and cannot be used for a round trip, zelle.com reported.
Related reading