ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, N.J. – Ferry operator Seastreak has been informed by Monmouth County that New York Waterway has been selected as the operator of the Belford ferry service beginning in September.
While Seastreak is disappointed with the outcome of the County’s solicitation, the company respects the County’s decision and appreciates the positive working relationship it has enjoyed with Monmouth County and its staff over the past several years. Seastreak is grateful for the opportunity to have served Belford passengers and hopes to work with the County again in the future.
Seastreak assumed operation of the Belford service in December 2022 while the region was still emerging from the challenges of the COVID era. Since that time, the company has invested heavily in vessels, customer amenities, terminal operations, a shuttle bus network connecting Belford, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, and an industry-leading digital ticketing platform. Seastreak introduced digital trip cards, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration, and RFID tap-and-go boarding technology, creating a best-in-class ticketing and boarding process. Customers can purchase tickets digitally in seconds, store them on their mobile devices or trip cards, and board with a simple tap. Together, these investments have helped drive strong ridership growth while further enhancing the premium service customers have come to value.
One of the key benefits riders have come to appreciate is the flexibility of being part of the broader Seastreak network. With service operating from Belford, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, customers have access to as many as 27 weekday departures to and from Manhattan. Seastreak has also invested in a dedicated shuttle bus network connecting all three terminals, making it possible for customers to leave their car at one terminal, board from another, and still get back home with ease. Whether someone travels regularly or only occasionally, that flexibility provides riders with more options and greater convenience than a traditional single-terminal operation.
Seastreak’s shuttle network connecting Belford, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands generated strong ridership and consistently positive customer feedback, demonstrating the value of providing customers with access to all three terminals. Many commuters have come to rely on the flexibility of traveling through Belford, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, giving them additional departure options and the ability to connect between terminals using Seastreak’s shuttle network. As a result of the County’s decision, Seastreak will no longer be able to offer that same integrated service to Belford riders following the transition of the route.
Seastreak looks forward to learning more about the County’s evaluation and scoring process and understanding the factors that led to the County’s decision. The company submitted a strong proposal and sought to demonstrate the value of its approach through strong ridership growth, positive customer testimonials, and a consistent commitment to providing safe, reliable, customer-focused service for Monmouth County commuters.
Looking ahead, Seastreak remains fully committed to serving Monmouth County commuters and plans to introduce service between Atlantic Highlands and Brookfield Place, creating an additional direct Lower Manhattan option for customers. The company will continue operating its established services from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands with its fleet of modern 505-passenger and 600-passenger high-speed ferries, among the most comfortable and luxurious passenger vessels in the industry.
“While we are disappointed by Monmouth County’s decision, our focus remains on our customers and on continuing to deliver the premium service they have come to expect from Seastreak,” said James D. Barker, President of Seastreak Ferries. “We thank the thousands of passengers who chose to ride with us from Belford over the years and appreciate the trust that they placed in our team. We look forward to continuing to serve those customers from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands with the same reliable, premium, high-speed transportation experience that has defined Seastreak for decades.”
Seastreak remains committed to providing the exceptional level of service customers have come to know and expect and looks forward to welcoming Belford riders aboard its Atlantic Highlands and Highlands services for many years to come.
For schedules and service updates, please visit Seastreak.com.
About Seastreak Ferries
Headquartered in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Seastreak is a privately owned ferry operator providing high-speed passenger ferry service throughout the Northeast. The company serves communities in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, connecting customers to New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and other destinations. With a modern fleet and a focus on reducing travel times, reliability, and customer comfort, Seastreak provides a premium transportation experience designed to get passengers where they are going quickly, comfortably, and dependably.
