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July 16, 2008

No More Free Rides From Ikea?

ikea-water-taxi-072008.jpg
Yesterday we got the following note from a reader: "Despite Ikea PR saying that they encourage people to use the water taxi and shuttles to visit the Red Hook neighborhood, this morning the water taxi personnel mentioned that they are already officially supposed to be checking for store-receipts/ink stamps when you board on the Red Hook side. They are just giving us a grace period until they actually charge non-customers for tickets." Last week the Daily News had a piece about how Brooklynites have been taking advantage of Ikea's free shuttles and water taxi rides. In it, a spokesperson for the company was quoted as saying, "We are thrilled that we are providing free transit options for the people of New York to come to Ikea and to come to Red Hook. We support mass transit, and if people are using our services and not going to Ikea, that's fine with us as well."
Update: Curbed has a statement from Ikea that clarifies the shift in policy. A rep says the Water Taxi will still be free for all but that Ikea customers who have gotten their hands stamped by the retailer will get first dibs on seats.
Ikea Shuttle Bests MTA Service for Some [Brownstoner]
Photo by jag9889.




Posted by Gabby at 9:29 AM | Comments (15)
Categories: Red Hook, Retail, Transportation

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That was predictable

Posted by: itsagas at July 16, 2008 9:34 AM

I have a feeling the City literally screamed their heads off at Ikea for lost revenue. Not to mention, that was pretty stupid to say : We are thrilled that we are providing free transit options for the people of New York to come to Ikea.

Nice idea,great for the public but I don't see the mayor or the MTA saying, gee. That's so nice! And realistically it takes money from public transportation- maybe not a lot but it set a poor precedent.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 16, 2008 9:39 AM

Neighborhood residents should still get a free ride as compensation for the environmental impact.

Posted by: DOW8000SP800 at July 16, 2008 9:41 AM

I took the water taxi to and from Ikea this past Friday. On the way back, the 7:40 shuttle, about a third of the people waiting seemed to be just there for the ride. A handful just planned to take the trip to Manhattan and then right back to Red Hook. I don't really see a problem with it as long as shoppers are not bumped off.

Posted by: fawn at July 16, 2008 9:42 AM

So go into Ikea and buy something for a dollar, like a desk or a cabinet and then at least you get a cheap ride. Once you're on board just through said purchased item overboard.

Posted by: funstraw at July 16, 2008 9:49 AM

DOW8000SP800- blaming Ikea for environmental impact would be ignoring years of neglect by the City and all the problems that Ikea has had nothing to do with. There are lots of neighborhoods where residents should be compensated for the same thing- by those lights, Williamsburg residents should not have to pay for any public transportation.In fact with the oil spill, the jet fuel lines and Radiac, they should pay people just to live in Williamsburg.

I'm sure Ikea pays the water taxi handsomely for providing the service- love the water taxi.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 16, 2008 9:57 AM

I'm sure it was great while it lasted, but surely, people didn't expect that Ikea was going to do the job of the MTA forever. Depending on what they eventually charge, it still may be a better deal to use them to get to and from Red Hook.

Maybe the privatization of public transport will someday make the MTA obsolete. You can get "dollar vans" up and down Flatbush Ave, and other areas of the city, there are private bus lines, and now the Ikea fleet. The subways were once private, separate lines,(IND, IRT, etc) which is why the cars and tracks are different sizes. What's next? "Welcome aboard the Staples train to Manhattan."

Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 16, 2008 10:03 AM

How about some direct bus service lines from areas that don't have a lot of subway stops? Staples would subsidize them in return for exclusive advertising rights to the buses on their line. In fact, lots of big companies could do that- riders would still pay a fare, but unlike the Express buses, it would be kept the same as a regular subway or bus fare. Seems the only realistic way to go since increasing the subway lines is near to impossible - unless the City considers the above ground trains.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 16, 2008 10:18 AM

Oh, MM, the latter part of your comment really scares me! We are already seeing the privatization of the subway system in a way that is becoming increasingly annoying. Ads are creeping into all kinds of spaces previously reserved for mind-numbing white subway tile. Now, with all the sensory overload, I'm hearing that some advertisers will be allowed to install "flip" graphics in the tunnels -- ala the style of the old graffiti artists who put their art in the tunnel between Dekalb and the bridge. Now, as if we don't see enough pitches to spend our precious few dollars in this sinking economy, we'll be treated to advertising messages in the subway tunnels! Alas, in a climate where advertisers are now putting their names on the sides of airplanes, the advent of something like the Staples Train to Manhattan may not be too far off in the
future.

Back on topic: I agree with those who think Ikea's pulling back on free transport for those who aren't taking the ferry in order to conduct business in the store makes sense.

Posted by: Brooklynista at July 16, 2008 10:19 AM

Sorry- I was referring to light rail systems which could be built at much less cost than a subway line.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 16, 2008 10:33 AM

my understanding is that the water taxi from red hook (I guess other than the ikea one) has been stopped entirely and the water taxi in general now only runs on weekends. Is this not true?

Posted by: gkw at July 16, 2008 10:35 AM

Ok all stop your whinning:

From Curbed:
Earlier we reported the Red Hook furor about the new Ikea Water Taxi policy involving hand stamps, Ikea receipts and reports of employees telling people about a coming $6 fee for non-customers. Here's the official word from an Ikea PR rep: "Just to clarify, there is no charge for the IKEA Water Taxi – it is still FREE to EVERYONE. The demand for service has been so high, that IKEA has instituted an in store hand stamp for customers who traveled to the store via the free Water Taxi to insure that the customers they are providing the free Water Taxi shuttle for get first in line and get a seat on the Water Taxi to get back to Manhattan. As long as there is space on the Water Taxi after IKEA customers board it is open and FREE to everyone." Should make life interesting for the non-customers

Posted by: fsrg at July 16, 2008 11:26 AM

no one's "whinning"- we're whining. and we aren't whining in any case. It's a blog. we're discussing.

Thanks for clarifying the water taxi.With or without the hand stamp, it's a great P.R. move for Ikea and promotes good will.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 16, 2008 11:33 AM

"So go into Ikea and buy something for a dollar, like a desk or a cabinet..."

Love it!

This was predictable with a Huuuuuge 'P'. Ikea. Red Hook. Sigh.

Posted by: Nokilissa at July 16, 2008 2:02 PM

Hm, maybe Ikea will create a "first class" section for those who purchase a $500 "Flöomp" vs. a $2 "Glorm" -- those customers will have to sit in the stern and breathe diesel fumes.

Posted by: y00phemism at July 16, 2008 2:53 PM

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