Two of New York Harbor 's biggest ferry companies will combine into one, as the New York Water Taxi announced this morning it will acquire Circle Line Harbor Cruise, which was the exclusive operator to the Statue of Liberty until this year.
Circle Line Harbor Cruises, also know as Circle Line Downtown, will continue to operate as its own company until December, when the deal is expected to finalize, according to a spokeswoman for New York Water Taxi.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Both companies operate tour boats in the New York Harbor and up the Hudson River . The New York Water Taxi also offers commuter service to Brooklyn, Queens and Yonkers.
Circle Line Downtown, which is no longer affiliated with Circle Line 42, (also called Circle Line Uptown). Circle Line Downtown operates out of the South Street Seaport (not far form the Water Taxi) and until Jan. 1, had the sole concession to operate ferry boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Last year, the National Park Service awarded the new exclusive contract to Statue Cruises.
