§ 1-07 Boarding.
RCNY § 1-07
(a)All passengers must board a ferry through the boarding doors on the ferry's upper level, unless otherwise authorized by this section.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the following passengers may board a ferry through the boarding doors on the ferry's lower level: (1) a person instructed to board on the lower level by ferry personnel or official Department-issued signage; (2) a person with a disability that seriously impairs his or her mobility who requires the use of a device to assist his or her movement, where such device is visible to ferry personnel (e.g., a wheelchair or walker); and (3) a person possessing a letter issued pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section.
(c)Lower level boarding access letter.
(1)Applicants. The following persons may apply for lower level boarding access: (i) a person with a disability that seriously impairs his or her mobility who requires the use of a device to assist his or her movement, where such device is not visible to ferry personnel (e.g., a pacemaker); and (ii) a person with a disability that seriously impairs his or her mobility who does not require the use of a device to assist his or her movement.
(2)Applications. An application must be submitted to the Department, on a form provided by the Department on its website, with certification from a physician licensed in one of the fifty states that the applicant has a disability that seriously impairs the applicant's mobility.
(i)The application must include the following information: (A) applicant's legal name, address, and telephone number(s); (B) applicant's date of birth; and (C) a government-issued identification card number for the applicant and its expiration date.
(ii)Upon receipt of a completed application, including the certification, DOT will, within 30 days of receipt, send the applicant a letter granting lower level boarding access. The letter may be used only by the applicant.
(3)Period of authorization. Any letter issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be valid for up to two (2) years from the date of issuance.
(4)Revocation. The Department will revoke the letter of any person who abuses any privilege, benefit, or consideration granted by the letter (e.g., altering the letter in any way or letting someone other than the applicant use the letter). (Added City Record 3/21/2017, eff. 4/20/2017)
