Harry Posted July 27, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 27, 2009 They're taking the "free" out of freeloading. IKEA announced this week it will begin charging $5 to weekday riders who don't shop in the Red Hook store but want to use its water taxi service between Brooklyn and Manhattan. "Why would you do something nice just to stab people in the back afterwards?" said filmmaker Eduardo Band, 39, as he waited on line for the water taxi. "Most of the people that ride it are from the neighborhood. They're not being very neighborly." Starting Aug. 3, only shoppers who spend at least $10 at the Swedish furniture retailer on Beard St. can enjoy the scenic ride from Red Hook to Pier 11 in Manhattan for free. Weekend service will remain free of charge for all riders. "That's just ridiculous," said Red Hook handyman Carlos Mendez, 44, who uses the free service weekly to travel to his favorite Manhattan sub shop. "That means I have to buy like 10 hot dogs just to get on. It's unfair." "It's just bad politics," said retiree Lloyd Pryor, 64, who regularly uses the water taxi to grab a lunch of Swedish meatballs at IKEA. "People come from all over to ride this for free - like the Staten Island ferry. They're missing a golden opportunity to become a New York institution. Full story: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/07/23/2009-07-23_red_hook_ikea_to_stop_free_ferry_service_soon_add_5_charge.html#ixzz0MTRB6mJx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcconnell Posted July 27, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 27, 2009 I knew this was coming eventually. Good thing I already rode the free ferry last summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted July 27, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 27, 2009 I agree with Ikea 100%, people weren't using it to go visit Ikea but rather as a commuter ferry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maserati7200 Posted July 27, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 27, 2009 I love how the yuppies are outraged... they act as if Ikea must provide them with a free shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken S. Posted July 27, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 27, 2009 Maybe IKEA wants to make some money off of the Culver Project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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