The trio ran as fast as they could with only 12 seconds left. With their hearts pumping and adrenaline rushing, they sprinted across the city hopping from ferry to ferry. They whizzed by bystanders as they pounded the pavement.
Rye Country Day high school seniors Ayush Maini, Olivia Thomas, and Eva Salzman set a new Guinness World Record, taking just seven hours, 19 minutes, and nine seconds to travel to all New York City ferry stops. They beat the prior record by 28 minutes; ousting record holders Kate Jones, Jesse Braver, and Rob Neill, whose seven hours, 47 minutes, and nine seconds stood for two months prior.
But these sprinting students were not just trying to get into the record books. They had a more serious mission: to promote sustainable transportation, address inequity, and foster community engagement.
Maini, Salzman, and Thomas also note that ferries offer access to employment, education, healthcare, and recreational opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), 79 percent of ferry riders use ferries for commuter transit, and 68 percent use them for pleasure and recreation.
Still, many do not take advantage of ferries and their opportunities. Many riders praise the affordability and beautiful views a ferry ride offers.
Yet some complain about a lack of amenities, including limited bathrooms, food, and beverages. And ferries can be inconvenient, as they have limited stops, a long distance to nearby bus and train stops, and are not connected to the MTA payment system.
Maini, however, is a fan. “It’s one of the most comfortable ways to get around the city,” he said.
Maini, Thomas, and Salzman ended their record-breaking mission on the Staten Island Ferry where they stepped off the ferry feeling accomplished as they basked in the bountiful cheers of their fellow ferry passengers.
Maini added, “I think we still have a ways to go in getting folks in Rye out of their cars and onto Metro North. And it’s not just Metro North.”