Passengers ride the Staten Island Ferry to St. George, Staten Island and from Manhattan. The ferry, run by the City of New York, carries about 70,000 passengers a day on 104 daily trips. The 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor, including The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, for free. It is considered one of the best tourist attractions of the city. Early passenger transportation between the locations was infrequent and erratic, but by 1817 the first steamboat traversed the harbor, providing faster service more often and more reliably. ÊIn 1905, the City of New York assumed control of the Staten Island ferry system and abolished the $.50 cent fare in 1997. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

Passengers ride the Staten Island Ferry to St. George, Staten Island and from Manhattan. The ferry, run by the City of New York, carries about 70,000 passengers a day on 104 daily trips. The 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor, including The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, for free. It is considered one of the best tourist attractions of the city. Early passenger transportation between the locations was infrequent and erratic, but by 1817 the first steamboat traversed the harbor, providing faster service more often and more reliably. ÊIn 1905, the City of New York assumed control of the Staten Island ferry system and abolished the $.50 cent fare in 1997. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)