You scored this sweet townhouse in Red Hook, within crawling distance of the Liberty Heights Tap Room. The only downside is that nasty-ass commute to lower Manhattan–the long walk past the projects to the F train.

Then along comes Ikea, and its free ferry. Yes, the much maligned new Ikea on the Brooklyn waterfront is offering free ferry service to and from lower Manhattan, and the NY Times reports that some opportunistic commuters are availing themselves of this luxury.

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There is the daily water taxi and shuttle bus service provided free by Ikea, technically for its customers. But for residents, the boats and buses have made the hard-to-reach neighborhood without a subway stop a little less remote; the ferries in particular have given them a picturesque way to travel between Manhattan and Red Hook.

There is concern that Ikea will scale back its bus and water taxi service, or scrap it altogether. But until then, plenty of people are enjoying the free ride across the Buttermilk Channel and the bay.

On another night, Chris Curen and Bill McDermott waited in line for the Ikea ferry on a pier in Lower Manhattan. Mr. Curen lives as close as one can to the furniture store, in an apartment building across the street. He is still angry about his new neighbor, arguing, among other things, that Ikea destroyed historic buildings to open its store.

But he added: “I guess I have to admit the traffic isn’t that bad.” Neither was the esplanade. “I think any time there’s waterfront access, it’s positive,” he said, as he and Mr. McDermott got on the boat for the shorter and more appealing ride home than their typical subway ride.

[image: NY Times]